Lens assembly and camera module including the lens assembly

ABSTRACT

A lens assembly according to an embodiment includes a holder including a first sidewall having a first opening and a second sidewall having a second opening, a liquid lens unit including at least a portion disposed in the first opening and the second opening, and an adhesive member coupling the holder and the liquid lens unit, wherein the second opening faces the first opening in a direction perpendicular to an optical-axis of the liquid lens unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/896,671, filed Feb. 14, 2018; which is a continuation ofInternational Patent Application No. PCT/KR2018/001846, filed Feb. 12,2018; which claims priority to Korean Application Nos. 10-2017-0166514,filed Dec. 6, 2017; and 10-2017-0172664, filed Dec. 14, 2017; all ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments relate to a lens assembly and a camera module including thelens assembly.

BACKGROUND ART

Users of portable devices desire optical devices that are compact,exhibit high resolution, and have a variety of photographing functions.For example, the photographing functions may include an opticalzoom-in/zoom-out function, an auto-focusing (AF) function, a handshakingabsorbing function, or an optical image stabilization (OIS) function.

In order to realize the various photographing functions described above,the conventional method has been to combine several lenses and directlymove the combined lenses. However, the size of an optical device mayincrease when the number of lenses is increased as described above.

Auto-focusing and handshaking absorbing functions are implemented bymoving or tilting several lenses, which are fixed to a lens holder andaligned with the optical axis, along the optical axis, or in a directionperpendicular to the optical axis. To this end, a separate lens-drivingdevice is required to drive a lens assembly, which is configured with aplurality of lenses. However, the lens-driving device exhibits highpower consumption, and a glass cover needs to be separately added to acamera module in order to protect the lens-driving device, thus causingan increase in the overall size of a conventional camera module.Therefore, to solve this, studies have been conducted on a liquid lensunit, which performs auto-focusing and handshaking absorbing functionsby electrically adjusting the curvature of an interface of two types ofliquids.

DISCLOSURE Technical Problem

Therefore, embodiments of the subject invention provide a lens assemblyin which a liquid lens unit is stably fixed to a holder and which may beprotected from foreign substances, and a camera module including thelens assembly.

The embodiments are not limited to the aforementioned devices, and otherunmentioned devices should be clearly understood by those of ordinaryskill in the art from the following description.

Technical Solution

In accordance with one embodiment, a lens assembly may include a holderincluding a first sidewall having a first opening and a second sidewallhaving a second opening, a liquid lens unit including at least a portiondisposed in the first opening and the second opening, and an adhesivemember coupling the holder and the liquid lens unit, wherein the secondopening faces the first opening in a first direction perpendicular to anoptical-axis of the liquid lens unit.

In accordance with another embodiment, a lens assembly may include aholder including a first opening and a second opening, a liquid lensunit including a portion protruding through at least one of the firstopening or the second opening, and an adhesive member coupling theholder and the liquid lens unit, wherein the adhesive member includes afirst adhesive coupling the holder and an upper surface of the liquidlens unit and a second adhesive coupling the holder and a lower surfaceand a side surface of the liquid lens unit, and wherein the secondopening faces the first opening in a first direction perpendicular to anoptical-axis of the liquid lens unit.

In accordance with still another embodiment, a lens assembly may includea holder including a first opening and a second opening, a liquid lensunit disposed between the first opening and the second opening andprotruding out of the first opening, a first adhesive fixing the liquidlens unit to the holder, and a second adhesive hermetically sealing thefirst opening, wherein the first adhesive and the second adhesive areformed of different materials, and wherein the second opening faces thefirst opening in a first direction perpendicular to an optical-axis ofthe liquid lens unit.

For example, the holder may further include a holder upper area disposedabove the liquid lens unit and a holder lower area disposed below theliquid lens unit, the liquid lens unit may include a first area disposedoutside the holder, and the adhesive member may be coupled to the firstarea of the liquid lens unit.

For example, the adhesive member may include a first adhesive couplingthe holder upper area and the liquid lens unit, and a second adhesivecoupling the holder lower area and the liquid lens unit.

For example, the first adhesive may have an I-shaped form, and thesecond adhesive may have a U-shaped form.

For example, the adhesive member may seal the holder to inhibit aforeign substance from being introduced inside the holder through thefirst opening from an outside.

For example, the first adhesive may have a maximum diameter smaller thana maximum diameter of the second adhesive.

For example, the second adhesive may be connected to the first adhesive.

For example, the second adhesive may have a contraction rate smallerthan a contraction rate of the first adhesive.

For example, the second adhesive may include an adhesive having acontraction rate equal to or less than 1% upon curing.

For example, the second adhesive may include a silicon-based adhesive.

For example, the liquid lens unit may include a first area disposedoutside of the first opening of the holder, and a second area disposedoutside of the second opening of the holder, and the adhesive member mayinclude a first adhesive disposed in the first area of the liquid lensunit and disposed on an upper portion of the liquid lens unit, a secondadhesive disposed in the first area of the liquid lens unit and disposedon a lower portion and a side portion of the liquid lens unit, a thirdadhesive disposed in the second area of the liquid lens unit anddisposed on the upper portion of the liquid lens unit, and a fourthadhesive disposed in the second area of the liquid lens unit anddisposed on the lower portion and the side portion of the liquid lensunit.

For example, the liquid lens unit may include a liquid lens, and aspacer disposed surrounding a lateral surface of the liquid lens.

For example, the liquid lens unit may further include a first connectionsubstrate disposed above the liquid lens, and a second connectionsubstrate disposed below the liquid lens, and the spacer may be disposedbetween the first connection substrate and the second connectionsubstrate.

For example, at least a portion of the spacer may be disposed in thefirst opening and the second opening.

For example, the spacer may protrude outward from the holder through thefirst opening and the second opening.

For example, the liquid lens may include at least a portion disposed inthe first opening and the second opening.

In accordance with a further embodiment, a camera module may include amain board and the lens assembly, the lens assembly being disposed onthe main board, wherein the lens assembly may include a first lens unitdisposed in the holder and a second lens unit disposed in the holder,and the liquid lens unit is disposed between the first lens unit and thesecond lens unit.

For example, the camera module may further include a cover disposed soas to surround the holder, the liquid lens unit, and the adhesivemember, and the holder may include an upper surface in direct physicalcontact with the cover and located higher than an upper surface of theadhesive member.

For example, the camera module may further include a circuit elementdisposed on the main board so as to be spaced apart from the holder, anda circuit cover disposed so as to cover the circuit element.

Advantageous Effects

A lens assembly according to the embodiments may have improved opticalperformance due to easy positional adjustment of a liquid lens unit.

In the lens assembly according to the embodiments, a liquid lens unitmay be stably fixed or coupled to a holder using an adhesive member.

A camera module including the lens assembly according to the embodimentsmay provide excellent optical performance, may have a reduced defectiveproportion, since the holder is sealed using the adhesive member so asto inhibit foreign substances from being introduced into the holderthrough an opening in the holder. In addition, the camera module mayenable obviation of a filter and a sensor base, may reduce or solve aghost or flare phenomenon, and may have a small thickness, which mayreduce manufacturing costs and simplify the manufacturing process.

In addition, the effects acquired by the embodiments are not limited tothe effects mentioned above, and other unmentioned effects should beclearly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art from thefollowing description.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a camera module according to anembodiment.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the camera module illustratedin FIG. 1 according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3a is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A′ in FIG. 2illustrating the camera module. FIG. 3b is an enlarged view illustratinganother embodiment of portion “K” of FIG. 3 a.

FIGS. 4a to 4d are views for describing a holder, a liquid lens unit, afirst adhesive member, a second adhesive member, and a third adhesivemember as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 a.

FIGS. 5a and 5b are cross-sectional views illustrating embodiments of alower member as illustrated in FIG. 3 a.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a camera moduleaccording to another embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the camera module illustratedin FIG. 6 according to the embodiment.

FIGS. 8a to 8c are respectively a cross-sectional view, a side view, anda perspective view of the camera module illustrated in FIG. 7.

FIGS. 9a to 9c are views for explaining the holder, the liquid lensunit, a fourth adhesive member, and a fifth adhesive member asillustrated in FIGS. 7 to 8 c.

FIGS. 10a to 10i are cross-sectional views illustrating embodiments of aliquid lens unit including a liquid lens according to the embodimentdescribed above.

FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of the camera module.

FIGS. 12a and 12b are views for explaining a liquid lens, the interfaceof which is adjusted to correspond to a drive voltage.

BEST MODE

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments are described in detail withreference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments may be modifiedin various ways and may have various forms, and specific embodiments areillustrated in the drawings and are described in detail herein. However,this is not intended to limit the embodiments to the specificembodiments, and the embodiment should be understood as including allmodifications, equivalents, and replacements that fall within the spritand technical scope of the embodiments.

Although the terms “first” and “second” and the like may be used todescribe various elements, the embodiments should not be limited by theterms. These terms are used for distinguishing between similar elements.In addition, terms, which are specially defined in consideration of theconfigurations and operations of the embodiments, are given only toexplain the embodiments, and do not limit the scope of the embodiments.

In the following description of the embodiments, it should be understoodthat, when each element is referred to as being formed “on” or “under”the other element, it can be directly “on” or “under” the other elementor be indirectly formed with one or more intervening elementstherebetween. In addition, it should also be understood that “on” or“under” the element may mean an upward direction and a downwarddirection of the element.

In addition, the relative terms “top/upper/above”, “bottom/lower/under”and the like in the description and in the claims may be used todistinguish between any one substance or element and other substances orelements and not necessarily for describing any physical or logicalrelationship between the substances or elements or a particular order.

Hereinafter, a lens assembly and a camera module including the sameaccording to embodiments are described using the Cartesian coordinatesystem, but the embodiments are not limited thereto. That is, with theCartesian coordinate system, the x-axis, the y-axis and the z-axis maybe orthogonal to one another, but the embodiments are not limitedthereto. That is, the x-axis, the y-axis and the z-axis may cross oneanother.

Hereinafter, a camera module 100A according to an embodiment isdescribed below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 b.

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a camera module 100A according to anembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1, the camera module 100A may include a lens assembly22A, a control circuit 24A, and an image sensor 26A.

First, the lens assembly 22A may include a plurality of lens units and aholder in which the lens units are accommodated. As described below, thelens units may include a liquid lens, and may further include a firstlens unit or a second lens unit. The lens units may include first andsecond lens units and a liquid lens unit.

The control circuit 24A serves to supply a drive voltage (or anoperation voltage) to the liquid lens unit.

The control unit 24A described above and the image sensor 26A may bedisposed on a single printed circuit board (PCB), but this is merelygiven by way of example, and the scope of the embodiment is not limitedthereto.

When the camera module 100A according to the embodiment is applied to anoptical device, the configuration of the control circuit 24A may bedesigned in different ways according to the specifications required inthe optical device. In particular, the control circuit 24A may beimplemented in a single chip, in order to reduce the magnitude of adrive voltage applied to the lens assembly 22A. Thereby, the size of anoptical device, which is mounted in a portable device, may be furtherreduced.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the camera module 100Aillustrated in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 2, the camera module 100A may include a lens assembly,a main board 150, and an image sensor 182. In addition, the cameramodule 100A may further include a first cover 170 and a middle base 172.In addition, the camera module 100A may further include at least oneadhesive member and a second cover 174. The at least one adhesive memberserves to couple or fix a liquid lens unit 140 to a holder 120. In thecase of FIG. 2, the at least one adhesive member is exemplified asincluding all of a first adhesive member 162A, a second adhesive member164A, and a third adhesive member 166, but the embodiment is not limitedthereto. That is, according to another embodiment, the at least oneadhesive member may include some of the first adhesive member 162A, someof the second adhesive member 164A, and some of the third adhesivemember 166.

According to the embodiment, at least one of the components 110 to 190of the camera module 100A illustrated in FIG. 2 may be omitted.Alternatively, at least one additional component, which is differentfrom the components 110 to 190 illustrated in FIG. 2, may be included inthe camera module 100A.

FIG. 3a is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A′ illustrating thecamera module 100A illustrated in FIG. 2, and FIG. 3b is an enlargedview illustrating another embodiment of portion “K” of FIG. 3a . Forconvenience of description, the third adhesive member 166, the firstcover 170, the second cover 174, and an optical layer 190 illustrated inFIG. 2 are omitted in FIG. 3 a.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 3 b, the lens assembly may include at least oneof the liquid lens unit 140, the holder 120, a first lens unit 110 or110A, a second lens unit 130 or 130A, the first adhesive member 162A,the second adhesive member 164A, or the third adhesive member 166, andmay correspond to the lens assembly 22A illustrated in FIG. 1. The lensassembly may be disposed on the main board 150.

In order to distinguish the liquid lens unit 140 from the lens assembly,the first lens unit 110 or 110A and the second lens unit 130 or 130A maybe respectively referred to as a “first solid lens unit” and a “secondsolid lens unit”.

The first lens unit 110 or 110A may be disposed at the upper side of thelens assembly, and may be an area to which light is introduced fromoutside the lens assembly. That is, the first lens unit 110 or 100A maybe disposed above the liquid lens unit 140 within the holder 120. Thefirst lens unit 110 or 110A may be configured with a single lens, or maybe configured with two or more lenses, which are aligned along a centeraxis to form an optical system.

Here, the center axis may be an optical axis LX of the optical system,which is formed by the first lens unit 110 or 110A, the liquid lens unit140, and the second lens unit 130 or 130A included in the camera module100A, and may be an axis parallel to the optical axis LX. The opticalaxis LX may correspond to the optical axis of the image sensor 182. Thatis, the first lens unit 110 or 110A, the liquid lens unit 140, thesecond lens unit 130 or 130A, and the image sensor 182 may be alignedwith and disposed along the optical axis LX via active alignment (AA).

Here, active alignment may mean an operation of aligning the opticalaxis of each of the first lens unit 110 or 110A, the second lens unit130 or 130A, and the liquid lens unit 140, and adjusting an axialrelationship or distance relationship between the image sensor 182 andthe lens units 110 or 110A, 130 or 130A, and 140, in order to acquire animproved image.

In an embodiment, active alignment may be performed by an operation inwhich the image sensor 182 generates and analyzes image data whenreceiving light introduced from a specific object via at least one ofthe first lens unit 110 or 110A, the second lens unit 130 or 130A, orthe liquid lens unit 140. For example, active alignment may be performedin the following sequence.

In one example, active alignment (first alignment), which adjustsrelative positions between the first lens unit 110 or 110A and thesecond lens unit 130 or 130A, which are fixed and mounted to the holder120, and the image sensor 182, is completed, active alignment (secondalignment), which adjusts relative positions between the liquid lensunit 140, which is inserted into the holder 120, and the image sensor182, may be performed. First alignment may be performed as a grippergrips the middle base 172 and displaces the middle base to variouspositions, and second alignment may be performed as the gripper grips aspacer 143 of the liquid lens unit 140 and displacers the spacer tovarious positions.

However, active alignment may be performed in any other sequencedifferent from the above-described sequence.

Assuming the case in which the middle base 172 is omitted, activealignment may be performed in the state in which the gripper grips aprotruding portion 124 of the holder 120. To inhibit inaccuratealignment when the protruding portion 124 has a small thickness, thecamera module 100A may include the middle base 172, which is thickerthan the protruding portion 124 of the holder 120. Management of thethickness of the holder 120 may be necessary in order to form the holder120, which has a complicated shape compared to the shape of the middlebase 172, using injection molding or the like. When the thickness of aportion of the holder 120 for active alignment is not sufficient forgripping, the middle base 172 may be added so that active alignment maybe performed in the state in which the gripper grips a portion of themiddle base 172. However, when the thickness of the protruding portion124 is sufficiently large, the middle base 172 may be omitted. Inaddition, the protruding portion 124 and the middle base 172 may becoupled to each other via an adhesive member, for example, epoxy.

In another example, active alignment (third alignment), which adjuststhe relative positions between the first lens unit 110 or 110A, thesecond lens unit 130 or 130A, and the liquid lens unit 140, which arefixed and mounted to the holder 120, is complete. Active alignment(fourth alignment), which adjusts the relative positions between thelens of the lens assembly, which has completely undergone thirdalignment, and the image sensor 182 may be performed. Third alignmentmay be performed as a gripper grips the spacer 143 of the liquid lensunit 140 and displaces the spacer to various positions, and fourthalignment may be performed as the gripper grips the middle base 172 anddisplacers the middle base to various positions.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 3a , the first lens unit 110A mayinclude two lenses L1 and L2, but this is merely given by way ofexample, and the first lens unit 110A may include one lens, two lenses,or three or more lenses.

In addition, an exposure lens may be disposed at the upper side of thefirst lens unit 110 or 110A. Here, the exposure lens may be an outermostlens among the lenses included in the first lens unit 110 or 110A. Thatis, the lens L1 located at the uppermost side of the first lens unit110A may protrude upward, and therefore, may perform a function of theexposure lens. The surface of the exposure lens may be damaged as itprotrudes outward from the holder 120. When the surface of the exposurelens is damaged, the quality of an image captured by the camera module100A may be deteriorated. Therefore, in order to inhibit or suppressdamage to the surface of the exposure lens, a glass cover may bedisposed, or a coating layer may be formed on the top of the exposurelens. Alternatively, in order to inhibit damage to the surface of theexposure lens, the exposure lens may be formed using a wear-resistantmaterial having higher rigidity than the lenses of the other lens units.

In addition, the outer diameter of each of the lenses L1 and L2 includedin the first lens unit 110A may increase in relation to a decreasingdistance to the bottom (e.g. in the −z-axis direction), but theembodiment is not limited thereto.

FIGS. 4a to 4d are views for describing the holder 120, the liquid lensunit 140, the first adhesive member 162A, the second adhesive member164A, and the third adhesive member 166 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 a.FIG. 4a illustrates an exploded perspective view of the holder 120, theliquid lens unit 140, the first adhesive member 162A, and the secondadhesive member 164A, FIG. 4b illustrates an exploded plan view of theholder 120, the liquid lens unit 140, the first adhesive member 162A,and the second adhesive member 164A. FIG. 4c illustrates an assembledplan view of the holder 120 and the liquid lens unit 140. FIG. 4dillustrates an assembled cross-sectional view of the spacer 143, thefirst cover 170, the holder 120, the middle base 172, and the thirdadhesive member 166.

The holder 120 may include first and second holes H1 and H2 and first tofourth sidewalls (or side surfaces or side portions) S1, S2, S3 and S4.

The first and second holes H1 and H2 may be formed respectively in thetop and the bottom of the holder 120 to open the top and the bottom ofthe holder 120 respectively. Here, the first hole H1 and the second holeH2 may be through-holes. The first lens unit 110 or 110A may beaccommodated in, mounted in, seated in, in contact with, fixed to,provisionally fixed to, supported by, coupled to, or disposed in thefirst hole H1, which is formed in the holder 120, and the second lensunit 130 or 130A may be accommodated in, mounted in, seated in, incontact with, fixed to, provisionally fixed to, supported by, coupledto, or disposed in the second hole H2, which is formed in the holder120.

In addition, the first and second sidewalls S1 and S2 of the holder 120may be disposed so as to face each other in the direction (e.g. thex-axis direction) perpendicular to the direction of the optical axis LX,and the third and fourth sidewalls S3 and S4 may be disposed so as toface each other in the direction (e.g. the y-axis direction)perpendicular to the direction of the optical axis LX. In addition, asillustrated in FIG. 4a , the first sidewall S1 of the holder 120 shownin FIG. 4b may include a first opening OP1, and the second sidewall S2shown in FIG. 4b may include a second opening OP2 having a shape equalto or similar to that of the first opening OP1. Thus, the first openingOP1 located in the first sidewall S1 and the second opening OP2 locatedin the second sidewall S2 may be disposed so as to face each other inthe direction (e.g. the x-axis direction) perpendicular to the directionof the optical axis LX.

The inner space of the holder 120 in which the liquid lens unit 140 maybe disposed may be accessible by the first and second openings OP1 andOP2. At this time, the liquid lens unit 140 may be inserted through thefirst or second opening OP1 or OP2 so as to be mounted in, seated in, incontact with, fixed to, provisionally fixed to, supported by, coupledto, or disposed in the inner space of the holder 120. For example, theliquid lens unit 140 may be inserted into the inner space of the holder120 through the first opening OP1.

In order to allow the liquid lens unit 140 to be inserted into the innerspace of the holder 120 through the first or second opening OP1 or OP2,the size of the first or second opening OP1 or OP2 may be greater thanthe cross-sectional area of the liquid lens unit 140 in the y-axis andz-axis directions. For example, the height H corresponding to the sizeof each of the first and second openings OP1 and OP2 in the direction ofthe optical axis LX may be greater than the thickness TO of the liquidlens unit 140.

The second lens unit 130 or 130A may be disposed below the liquid lensunit 140 within the holder 120. The second lens unit 130 or 130A may bespaced apart from the first lens unit 110 or 110A in the optical-axisdirection (e.g. the z-axis direction).

The light introduced into the first lens unit 110 or 110A from outsidethe camera module 100A may pass through the liquid lens unit 140 and beintroduced into the second lens unit 130 or 130A. The second lens unit130 or 130A may be configured with a single lens, or may be configuredwith two or more lenses, which are aligned along a center axis to forman optical system. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3a , the secondlens unit 130A may include three lenses L3, L4 and L5, but this ismerely given by way of example, and one or two lenses or four or morelenses may be included in the second lens unit 130 or 130A.

In addition, the outer diameter of each of the lenses L3, L4 and L5included in the second lens unit 130A may increase in relation to adecreasing distance to the bottom (e.g. in the −z-axis direction), butthe embodiment is not limited thereto.

Unlike the liquid lens unit 140, each of the first lens unit 110 or 110Aand the second lens unit 130 or 130A may be a solid lens formed of glassor plastic, but the embodiment is not limited as to a specific materialof each of the first lens unit 110 or 110A and the second lens unit 130or 130A.

Referring to FIG. 4c , the liquid lens unit 140 may include a firstportion 140-1 to a fifth portion 140-5.

In the liquid lens unit 140, the first portion 140-1 may be a portionthat is mounted in, seated in, in contact with, fixed to, provisionallyfixed to, supported by, coupled to, or disposed in the inner spacebetween the first hole H1 and the second hole H2 in the holder 120 inthe direction of the optical axis LX or the direction parallel to thedirection of the optical axis LX (e.g. the z-axis direction). That is,the first portion 140-1 of the liquid lens unit 140 may be disposedbetween the first lens unit 110 or 110A and the second lens unit 130 or130A. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto. For example,according to another embodiment, the first lens unit 110 or 110A or thesecond lens unit 130 or 130A may be omitted, the liquid lens unit 140may be disposed above the first lens unit 110 or 110A within the holder120, or the liquid lens unit 140 may be disposed below the second lensunit 130 or 130A within the holder 120. In addition, the first portion140-1 of the liquid lens unit 140 may be a portion that is mounted in,seated in, in contact with, fixed to, provisionally fixed to, supportedby, coupled to, or disposed in the inner space between the first openingOP1 and the second opening OP2 in the holder 120 in the directionperpendicular to the direction of the optical axis LX (e.g. the x-axisdirection).

In addition, the second and third portions 140-2 and 140-3 of the liquidlens unit 140 may be portions that are respectively disposed in thefirst and second openings OP1 and OP2 in the holder 120. The second andthird portions 140-2 and 140-3 are described below in detail along withdescriptions of the first and second adhesive members 162A and 164A.

In addition, the fourth portion 140-4 of the liquid lens unit 140 may bea portion that protrudes from the first sidewall S1 of the holder 120.For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4c , the fourth portion 140-4 of theliquid lens unit 140 may a portion protruding from the first opening OP1formed in the first sidewall S1 of the holder 120. That is, the fourthportion 140-4 may protrude outward from the holder 120 at the side ofthe first opening OP1.

In addition, the fifth portion 140-5 of the liquid lens unit 140 may bea portion that protrudes from the second sidewall S2 of the holder 120.For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4c , the fifth portion 140-5 of theliquid lens unit 140 may a portion protruding from the second openingOP2 formed in the second sidewall S2 of the holder 120. That is, thefifth portion 140-5 may protrude outward from the holder 120 at the sideof the second opening OP2.

In addition, referring to FIG. 3a , the liquid lens unit 140 may includefirst to fifth areas A1, A2, A3, A4 and A5.

The first area A1 is an area disposed inside the first opening OP1 inthe holder 120 and corresponds to the second portion 140-2 illustratedin FIG. 4c , the second area A2 is an area disposed inside the secondopening OP2 in the holder 120 and corresponds to the third portion 140-3illustrated in FIG. 4c , and the third area A3 is an area between thefirst area A1 and the second area A2 and corresponds to the firstportion 140-1 illustrated in FIG. 4c . The fourth area A4 is an areaprotruding from the first opening OP1 in the holder 120 and correspondsto the fourth portion 140-4 illustrated in FIG. 4c . That is, the fourtharea A4 is an area disposed outside the holder 120 at the side of thefirst opening OP1. The fifth area A5 is an area protruding from thesecond opening OP2 in the holder 120 and corresponds to the fifthportion 140-5 illustrated in FIG. 4c . That is, the fifth area A5 is anarea disposed outside the holder 120 at the side of the second openingOP2.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the liquid lens unit 140 mayinclude a first connection substrate (or an individual electrodeconnection substrate) 141, a liquid lens (or a liquid lens body) 142,the spacer 143, and a second connection substrate (or a common electrodeconnection substrate) 144.

The first connection substrate 141 may electrically connect a pluralityof first electrodes (not illustrated) included in the liquid lens 142 tothe main board 150, and may be disposed above the liquid lens 142. Thefirst connection substrate 141 may be implemented as a flexible printedcircuit board (FPCB).

In addition, the first connection substrate 141 may be electricallyconnected to an electrode pad 150-1, which is formed on the main board150, via a connection pad 141-1, which is electrically connected to eachof a plurality of first electrodes. To this end, after the liquid lensunit 140 is inserted into the inner space of the holder 120, the firstconnection substrate 141 may be subjected to bending in the −z-axisdirection toward the main board 150, and thereafter the connection pad141-1 and the electrode pad 150-1 may be electrically connected to eachother via conductive epoxy. In another embodiment, the first connectionsubstrate 141 may be connected to a first holder surface electrode,which is disposed, formed, or coated on the surface of the holder 120,so as to be electrically connected to the main board 150 via the firstholder surface electrode, which is conductive and is disposed on thesurface of the holder 120, but the embodiment is not limited thereto.

The second connection substrate 144 may electrically connect a secondelectrode (not illustrated) included in the liquid lens 142 to the mainboard 150, and may be disposed below the liquid lens 142. The secondconnection substrate 144 may be implemented as an FPBC or a single metalsubstrate (conductive metal plate). Here, the first and secondelectrodes are described below in detail with reference to FIGS. 10a to10 i.

The second connection substrate 144 may be electrically connected to anelectrode pad, which is formed on the main board 150, via a connectionpad, which is electrically connected to the second electrode. To thisend, after the liquid lens unit 140 is inserted into the inner space ofthe holder 120, the second connection substrate 144 may be subjected tobending in the −z-axis direction toward the main board 150. In anotherembodiment, the second connection substrate 144 may be connected to asecond holder surface electrode, which is disposed, formed, or coated onthe surface of the holder 120, so as to be electrically connected to themain board 150 via the second holder surface electrode, which isconductive and is disposed on the surface of the holder 120, but theembodiment is not limited thereto.

FIGS. 4a to 4d illustrate the state before each of the first and secondconnection substrates 141 and 144 bends.

The liquid lens 142 may include a cavity CA. As illustrated in FIG. 3a ,the open area in the direction in which light is introduced into thecavity CA may be smaller than the open area in the opposite direction.Alternatively, the liquid lens 142 may be disposed such that thedirection of inclination of the cavity CA is opposite to theillustration. That is, unlike the illustration of FIG. 3a , the openarea in the direction in which light is introduced into the cavity CAmay be greater than the open area in the opposite direction. Inaddition, when the liquid lens 142 is disposed such that the directionof inclination of the cavity CA is opposite to the illustration, a partor the entirety of the arrangement of components included in the liquidlens 142 may be changed, or only the direction of inclination of thecavity CA may be changed and the remainder of the arrangement may not bechanged, according to the direction of inclination of the liquid lens142. A detailed configuration of the liquid lens 142 is described belowin detail with reference to FIGS. 10a to 10 i.

The spacer 43 may be disposed so as to surround the lateral surface ofthe liquid lens 142, and may protect the liquid lens 142 from externalshocks. To this end, the spacer 143 may be configured so as to allow theliquid lens 142 to be mounted in, seated in, in contact with, fixed to,provisionally fixed to, supported by, coupled to, or disposed in thespacer.

For example, the spacer 143 may include a hollow space 143H in which theliquid lens 142 is accommodated, and a frame configured to surround thehollow space 143H formed in the center thereof. As such, the spacer 143may have a centrally-hollowed square planar shape (hereinafter, referredto as a “11”-shaped form), but the embodiment is not limited thereto.

In addition, the spacer 143 may be disposed between the first connectionsubstrate 141 and the second connection substrate 144, and may bedisposed so as to protrude from at least one of the first or secondopening OP1 or OP2 in the holder 120. That is, at least a portion of thespacer 143 may be shaped so as to protrude, along with the first andsecond connection substrates 141 and 144, from at least one of the firstor second sidewall S1 or S2 of the holder 120 in the directionperpendicular to the optical axis LX (e.g. the x-axis direction). Thisis because the length of the spacer 143 in the x-axis direction isgreater than the length of the holder 120 in the x-axis direction. Thus,portions of the spacer 143, which protrude from the first and secondsidewalls S1 and S2, may respectively correspond to the fourth and fifthportions 140-4 and 140-5 of the liquid lens unit 140 illustrated in FIG.4c (i.e. the fourth area A4 and the fifth area A5 illustrated in FIG. 3a).

In addition, the spacer 143 may be brought into contact with a gripperwhen the spacer 143 is inserted into the holder 120 and during activealignment.

In addition, at least a portion of the spacer 143 may be disposed in atleast one of the first opening OP1 or the second opening OP2. In thecase of FIG. 3a , the spacer 143 is illustrated as not being disposed inthe first opening OP1 and the second opening OP2. However, unlike theillustration, as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 4 a and 4 b, it can beappreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that at least a portionof the spacer 143 may be disposed in each of the first and secondopenings OP1 and OP2 since the spacer 143 has a “

”-shaped form and surrounds the liquid lens 142.

In addition, at least a portion of the liquid lens 142 may be disposedin at least one of the first opening OP1 or the second opening OP2.Referring to FIG. 3a , it can be appreciated that a first plate 147 ofthe liquid lens 142, which is a component of the liquid lens 142, isdisposed in each of the first and second openings OP1 and OP2.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 3b , only at least a portion of thespacer 143 may be disposed in each of the first and second openings OP1and OP2, and the liquid lens 142 may not be disposed therein.

Meanwhile, the first adhesive member 162A may be disposed between theholder 120 and the liquid lens unit 140 inside the first opening OP1 inthe holder 120. The first adhesive member 162A may be disposed on thefirst area A1 of the liquid lens unit 140, and may be disposed on theupper surface, the lower surface, and the side portion of the secondportion 140-2.

In addition, the second adhesive member 164A may be disposed between theholder 120 and the liquid lens unit 140 inside the second opening OP2 inthe holder 120. The second adhesive member 164A may be disposed on thesecond area A2 of the liquid lens unit 140, and may be disposed on theupper surface, the lower surface, and the side portion of the thirdportion 140-3.

In addition, referring to FIG. 3a , the holder 120 may include a holderupper area 120U disposed above the liquid lens unit 140 and a holderlower area 120D disposed below the liquid lens unit 140. At this time,each of the first and second adhesive members 162A and 164A may coupleeach of the holder upper area 120U and the holder lower area 120D to theliquid lens unit 140.

As described above, when the first and second adhesive members 162A and164A are disposed, the liquid lens unit 140 may be stably fixed andcoupled to the holder 120.

In addition, each of the first and second adhesive members 162A and 164Aillustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4 a to 4 c is illustrated as having ahexahedral shape, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. That is,the first and second adhesive members 162A and 164A are not limited to aspecific shape so long as the first and second adhesive members 162A and164A may be disposed between the liquid lens unit 140 and the holder 120in each of the first and second openings OP1 and OP2. That is, the firstadhesive member 162A may have a shape corresponding to the shape of thefirst opening OP1, and the second adhesive member 164A may have a shapecorresponding to the shape of the second opening OP2

The first cover 170 may be disposed so as to surround the holder 120,the liquid lens unit 140, the third adhesive member 166, and the middlebase 172, and may protect these 120, 140, 166 and 172 from externalshocks. In particular, when the first cover 170 is disposed, a pluralityof lenses, which forms an optical system, may be protected from externalshocks.

In addition, to allow the first lens unit 110 or 110A disposed in theholder 120 to be exposed to external light, the first cover 170 mayinclude an upper opening 170H formed in the upper surface of the firstcover 170.

In addition, a window formed of a light-transmitting material may bedisposed in the upper opening 170H. This may inhibit foreign substances,such as dust or moisture, from being introduced into the camera module100A.

Referring to FIG. 4d , the first cover 170 may be disposed so as tocover the upper surface of the holder 120 and the first to fourthsidewalls S1, S2, S3, and S4 shown in FIG. 4 b.

At this time, the third adhesive member 166 may be disposed so as tofill the space (or the gap) SP between the upper surface of the holder120 and the first cover 170. In some cases, the third adhesive member166 may be omitted. In this case, the space SP between the upper surfaceof the holder 120 and the first cover 170 may be empty.

In the case of FIG. 2, the third adhesive member 166 is illustrated ashaving a doughnut shape. This is because the upper opening 170H in thefirst cover 170 has a circular shape and the holder 120 has an upwardlyprotruding circular upper surface. However, the third adhesive member166 may have any of various shapes depending on the shape of the upperopening 170H in the first cover 170 and the shape of the upper surfaceof the holder 120.

As described above, when the third adhesive member 166 is disposed so asto fill the space SP between the upper surface of the holder 120 and thefirst cover 170 in the state in which the first and second adhesivemembers 162A and 164A are disposed so as to fill the empty space betweenthe holder 120 and the liquid lens unit 140 in the first and secondopenings OP1 and OP2, the inner space IS of the holder 120 in which thethird area A3 of the liquid lens unit 140 (i.e. the first portion 140-1)is disposed may be sealed from the outside, but the embodiment is notlimited thereto. That is, the first to third adhesive members 162A, 164Aand 166 may have any of various shapes so long as they seal the insideof the holder 120 so as to inhibit foreign substances from beingintroduced into the holder 120 through at least one of the first orsecond opening OP1 or OP2.

When foreign substances are introduced into the holder 120, in which thethird area A3 of the liquid lens unit 140 (i.e. the first portion 140-1)is disposed, through at least one of the first opening OP1, the secondopening OP2, or the space SP, the optical performance of the cameramodule 100A may be deteriorated.

However, since the first, second, and third adhesive members 162A, 164A,and 166 seal the inner space of the holder 120 of the camera module100A, according to certain embodiments in which the first portion 140-1of the liquid lens unit 140 is disposed, it is possible to inhibitforeign substances from being introduced into the first portion 140-1 ofthe liquid lens unit 140, which may improve the optical performance ofthe camera module 100A and may reduce a defective proportion.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 a, the middle base 172 may be disposed so asto surround the second hole H2 in the holder 120. To this end, themiddle base 172 may include an accommodating hole 172H for accommodatingthe second hole H2 therein. The inner diameter of the middle base 172(i.e. the diameter of the accommodating hole 172H) may be equal to orgreater than the outer diameter of the second hole H2.

Here, both the accommodating hole 172H in the middle base 172 and thesecond hole H2 are illustrated as having a circular shape, but theembodiment is not limited thereto, and these holes may be changed tovarious other shapes.

In the same manner as the upper opening 170H in the first cover 170, theaccommodating hole 172H may be formed near the center of the middle base172 at a position corresponding to the position of the image sensor 182,which is disposed in the camera module 100A.

The middle base 172 may be mounted on the main board 150 so as to bespaced apart from a circuit element 151 on the main board 150. That is,the holder 120 may be disposed on the main board 150 so as to be spacedapart from the circuit element 151.

The second cover 174 may be mounted on the top of the main board 150,and may protect the members 110, 120, 130, and 140 to 172 as well as thecircuit element 151 disposed on the top of the main board 150 fromexternal shocks. The second cover 174 may include the space foraccommodating the circuit element 151 therein, in consideration of theshape and position of the circuit element 151 disposed on the main board150. In addition, the second cover 174 may include the space in whichthe lens assembly 110 to 140, 162A and 164A is mounted, seated, incontact with, fixed, provisionally fixed, supported, or coupled, inconsideration of the shape and position of the lens assembly 110 to 140,162A, and 164A.

In the same manner as the first cover 170, the second cover 174 mayinclude an opening 174H near the center thereof. The opening 174H may beformed at a position corresponding to the position of the image sensor182, which is disposed in the camera module 100A.

The main board 150 may be disposed below the middle base 172, and mayinclude a recess in which the image sensor 182 may be mounted, seated,in contact with, fixed, provisionally fixed, supported, coupled, oraccommodated, the circuit element 151, a connection portion (or an FPCB)152, and a connector 153.

The circuit element 151 of the main board 150 may configure a controlmodule, which controls the liquid lens unit 140 and the image sensor182. Here, the control module is described below with reference to FIG.11. The circuit element 151 may include at least one of a passiveelement or an active element, and may have any of various widths andheights. The circuit element 151 may mean a plurality of circuitelements, and may have a height greater than the height of the mainboard 150 so as to protrude outward. The plurality of circuit elements151 may be disposed so as not overlap the holder 120 in the directionparallel to the optical axis LX. For example, the plurality of circuitelements 151 may include a power inductor, a gyro sensor, and the like,but the embodiment is not limited as to a specific type of the circuitelements 151.

The main board 150 may include a holder area on which the holder 120 isdisposed and an element area on which the plurality of circuit elements151 is disposed.

The main board 150 may be implemented as a rigid flexible printedcircuit board (RFPCB) including the FPCB 152. The FPCB 152 may besubjected to bending based on the requirement of the space in which thecamera module 100A is mounted.

The image sensor 182 may perform a function of converting the light thathas passed through the first lens unit 110 or 110A, the liquid lens unit140, and the second lens unit 130 or 130A of the lens assembly 110, 120,130, 140, 162A, and 164A into image data. More specifically, the imagesensor 182 may generate image data by converting light into an analogsignal via a pixel array including a plurality of pixels andsynthesizing a digital signal corresponding to the analog signal.

FIGS. 5a and 5b are cross-sectional views illustrating embodiments 180Aand 180B of a lower member 180 illustrated in FIG. 3 a.

The lower member 180 may include the main board 150 and the image sensor182 illustrated in FIG. 2, and may further include a stiffener 184.

According to one embodiment, the lower member 180A illustrated in FIG.5a may include the stiffener 184, the main board 150, and the imagesensor 182. Here, the main board 150 and the image sensor 182respectively correspond to the main board 150 and the image sensor 182illustrated in FIG. 2, and thus are designated by the same referencenumerals, and a repeated description thereof is omitted.

The main board 150 may be disposed on the stiffener 184, and the imagesensor 182 may be disposed on the main board 150. The stiffener 184serves to support the main board 150 and the image sensor 182 since eachof the main board 150 and the image sensor 182 has a small thickness. Inaddition, the stiffener 184, the main board 150, and the image sensor182 may be separately disposed as illustrated in FIG. 5a , or may beintegrally formed, unlike the illustration of FIG. 5 a.

According to another embodiment, the lower member 180B illustrated inFIG. 5b may include the stiffener 184, the main board 150, and the imagesensor 182. The main board 150 and the image sensor 182 illustrated inFIG. 5b respectively correspond to the main board 150 and the imagesensor 182 illustrated in FIG. 2, and thus are designated by the samereference numerals, and a repeated description thereof is omitted.

In addition, the stiffener 184, the main board 150, and the image sensor182 may be separately disposed as illustrated in FIG. 5b , or may beintegrally formed, unlike the illustration of FIG. 5 b.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5a and 5b , the main board 150 may be disposedabove the stiffener 184. For example, the image sensor 182 may bemounted on the main board 150 as illustrated in FIG. 5a , or may bemounted on the stiffener 184 in a recess formed in the main board 150 asillustrated in FIG. 5b . The stiffener 184 serves to support the mainboard 150 and the image sensor 182 since each of the main board 150 andthe image sensor 182 has a small thickness. Thus, the stiffener 184 maybe omitted when each of the main board 150 and the image sensor 182 doesnot have a small thickness. For example, in FIGS. 5a and 5b , the firstthickness T1 of the stiffener 184 may be 0.15 mm, the second thicknessT2 of the main board 150 may range from 0.2 mm to 0.35 mm, and the thirdthickness T3 of the image sensor 182 may be 0.12 mm, but the embodimentis not limited thereto.

The stiffener 184 described above may be formed of ceramics, but theembodiment is not limited as to a specific material of the stiffener184.

Meanwhile, the connector 153 may electrically connect the main board 150to a power supply or any other device (e.g. an application processor)outside the camera module 100A.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a method of manufacturing the cameramodule 100A is described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, the image sensor 182 may be mounted on the main board 150, andthe holder 120 to which the middle base 172 and the second cover 174 arecoupled may be mounted on, seated on, in contact with, provisionallyfixed to, supported by, coupled to, or disposed on the main board 150.

At this time, active alignment (first alignment) between the first lensunit 110 or 110A and the second lens unit 130 or 130A, which are mountedin the holder 120, and the image sensor 182 may be performed. Firstalignment may be performed by adjusting positions of the middle base 172and the holder 120 while supporting opposite sides of the middle base172. First alignment may be performed while moving a jig, which pressesand fixes opposite sides of the middle base 172. The middle base 172 maybe fixed to the main board 150 in the completed state of firstalignment.

Subsequently, the liquid lens unit 140 may be inserted into the holder120 through at least one of the first opening OP1 or the second openingOP2 in the holder 120, and active alignment (second alignment) betweenthe liquid lens unit 140 and the image sensor 182 may be performed.Second alignment may be performed by adjusting the position of theliquid lens unit 140 while supporting the liquid lens unit 140 in thex-axis direction. Second alignment may be performed while moving a jig,which presses and fixes the liquid lens unit 140 in the x-axisdirection.

Subsequently, the first and second adhesive members 162A and 164A may berespectively formed in the empty space between the holder 120 and theliquid lens unit 140 in each of the first and second openings OP1 andOP2 so as to fix the liquid lens unit 140 to the holder 120.

Subsequently, each of the first connection substrate 141 and the secondconnection substrate 144 may be subjected to bending so as to beelectrically connected to the main board 150. After the bending process,a soldering process is performed for electrical connection between eachof the first connection substrate 141 and the second connectionsubstrate 144 and the main board 150.

Subsequently, the first lens unit 110, the holder 120, the second lensunit 130, the liquid lens unit 140, and the middle base 172 are coveredwith the first cover 170 so as to complete the camera module 100A. Atthis time, the third adhesive member 166 may be formed in the space SPbetween the first cover 170 and the upper surface of the holder 120 soas to seal the inner space of the holder 120.

Subsequently, a camera module 100B according to another embodiment isdescribed with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9 c.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the camera module100B according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6, the camera module 100B may include a lens assembly22B, a control circuit 24B, and an image sensor 26B. The control circuit24B and the image sensor 28B may be disposed on a single board. The lensassembly 22B, the control circuit 24B, and the image sensor 26B of thecamera module 100B illustrated in FIG. 6 respectively perform the samefunction as each of the lens assembly 22A, the control circuit 24A, andthe image sensor 26A of the camera module 100A illustrated in FIG. 1,and thus a repeated description of the lens assembly 22B, the controlcircuit 24B, and the image sensor 26B is omitted.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the camera module 100Billustrated in FIG. 6 according to the embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 7, the camera module 100B may include a lens assembly,the main board 150, and the image sensor 182. In addition, the cameramodule 100B may further include the first cover 170 and the middle base172. In addition, the camera module 100B may further include at leastone adhesive member. The at least one adhesive member serves to coupleor fix the liquid lens unit 140 to the holder 120. In the case of FIG.7, the at least one adhesive member is illustrated as including all ofthe third adhesive member 166, a fourth adhesive member 162B, and afifth adhesive member 164B, but the embodiment is not limited thereto.That is, according to another embodiment, the at least one adhesivemember may include some of the third adhesive member 166, the fourthadhesive member 162B, and the fifth adhesive member 164B.

In addition, in one embodiment the camera module 100B may furtherinclude a sensor base 178 and a filter 176, or in another embodiment thecamera module 100B may not include the sensor base 178 and the filter176 as illustrated in FIG. 2. In addition, the camera module 100B mayfurther include a circuit cover 154.

The camera module 100A illustrated in FIG. 2 includes the second cover174, whereas the camera module 100B illustrated in FIG. 7 includes thecircuit cover 154, instead of the second cover 174. The circuit cover154 may have an electromagnetic shielding function. In addition, thefourth adhesive member 162B illustrated in FIG. 7 may have a shapedifferent from that of the first adhesive member 162A illustrated inFIG. 2, and the fifth adhesive member 164B may be disposed at a positiondifferent from the position at which the second adhesive member 164Aillustrated in FIG. 2 is disposed. In addition, the camera module 100Billustrated in FIG. 7 further includes the sensor base 178 and thefilter 176, unlike the illustration of FIG. 2. However, the second cover174 illustrated in FIG. 2 may have substantially the same role as thesensor base 178 illustrated in FIG. 7.

Except for the differences described above, the camera module 100Billustrated in FIG. 7 is the same as the camera module 100A illustratedin FIG. 2, and thus the same reference numerals are given to the sameparts, and a repeated description thereof is omitted.

According to the embodiment, at least one of the components 110 to 176of the camera module 100B illustrated in FIG. 7 may be omitted.Alternatively, at least one other element, which is different from thecomponents 110 to 176 illustrated in FIG. 7, may be additionallyincluded in the camera module 100B.

FIGS. 8a to 8c are respectively a cross-sectional view, a side view, anda perspective view of the camera module 100B illustrated in FIG. 7. Thatis, FIG. 8a is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B′ illustratingthe camera module 100B of FIG. 7, FIG. 8b is a cross-sectional viewillustrating the camera module 100B of FIG. 7 viewed from the front side(i.e. in the x-axis direction), and FIG. 8c is a partially enlargedperspective view of portion “C” illustrated in FIG. 8a . For convenienceof description, the third adhesive member 166, the first cover 170, thecircuit cover 154, and the connector 153 illustrated in FIG. 7 areomitted in FIG. 8a , and may be omitted from the camera module 100B inpractice.

Referring to FIGS. 7 to 8 c, the lens assembly may include at least oneof the liquid lens unit 140, the holder 120, the first lens unit 110 or110A, the second lens unit 130 or 130A, the third adhesive member 166,the fourth adhesive member 162B, or the fifth adhesive member 164B, andmay correspond to the lens assembly 22B illustrated in FIG. 6. The lensassembly may be disposed on the main board 150.

FIGS. 9a to 9c are views for describing the holder 120, the liquid lensunit 140, the fourth adhesive member 162B, and the fifth adhesive member164B illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 8 c. FIG. 9a is an exploded perspectiveview of the holder 120, the liquid lens unit 140, the fourth adhesivemember 162B, and the fifth adhesive member 164B. FIG. 9b is an assembledperspective view of the holder 120, the liquid lens unit 140, the fourthadhesive member 162B, and the fifth adhesive member 164B. FIG. 9c is anassembled plan view of the holder 120, the liquid lens unit 140, thefourth adhesive member 162B, and the fifth adhesive member 164B.

The holder 120 illustrated in FIGS. 9a to 9c may include the first andsecond holes H1 and H2 and the first to fourth sidewalls S1, S2, S3 andS4.

FIGS. 4a to 4c illustrate the state before the first connectionsubstrate 141 and the second connection substrate 144 bend in the−z-axis direction, whereas FIGS. 9a to 9c illustrate the state after thefirst connection substrate 141 and the second connection substrate 144bend in the −z-axis direction. Except for this, a description related tothe first to fifth portions 140-1 to 140-5 illustrated in FIG. 4c mayalso be applied to the liquid lens unit 140 of the camera module 100Baccording to the present embodiment.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 8a or 8 c, the spacer 143 may bedisposed between the first connection substrate 141 and the secondconnection substrate 144, and may be disposed so as to protrude from atleast one of the first or second opening OP1 or OP2 in the holder 120.

In addition, the spacer 143 may have a ring shape, and may be disposedso as to surround the side surface of the liquid lens 142. The top andthe bottom of the spacer 143 may be uneven in order to increase thecoupling force with the connection substrates 141 and 144 via anadhesive material. The connection substrate 141 and 144 may have a shapecorresponding to the shape of the spacer 143, and may have a ring shape.

In addition, in the same manner as the illustration of FIG. 3a , theliquid lens unit 140 illustrated in FIG. 8a may include the first tofifth areas A1, A2, A3, A4 and A5. The first area A1, the second areaA2, the third area A3, the fourth area A4, and the fifth area A5illustrated in FIG. 8a respectively correspond to the first portion140-1, the second portion 140-2, the third portion 140-3, the fourthportion 140-4, and the fifth portion 140-5 illustrated in FIG. 9c . Thefirst to fifth areas A1 to A5 are respectively the same as the first tofifth areas A1 to A5 illustrated in FIG. 3a , and thus a repeateddescription thereof is omitted.

In the case of the camera module 100A according to the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 3a , the first adhesive member 162A is disposed onthe first area A1 (i.e. the second portion 140-2) of the liquid lensunit 140, and the second adhesive member 164A is disposed on the secondarea A2 (i.e. the third portion 140-3). On the other hand, in the caseof the camera module 100B according to the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 8a , no adhesive member may be disposed on the first and secondareas A1 and A2. On the other hand, in the case of the camera module100B according to the present embodiment, the fourth adhesive member162B is disposed on the fourth area A4 (i.e. the fourth portion 140-4),and the fifth adhesive member 164B is disposed on the fifth area (i.e.the fifth portion 140-5). In addition, an adhesive may be disposed onthe first and second areas A1 and A2 as well as the fourth area A4 andthe fifth area A5.

In addition, the fourth adhesive member 162B may include first andsecond adhesive portions 162B-1 and 162B-2, and the fifth adhesivemember 164B may include third and fourth adhesive portions 164B-1 and164B-2. These adhesive portions may include an adhesive, epoxy, or thelike.

Referring to FIGS. 8a to 8c and FIGS. 9b and 9c , the first adhesiveportion 162B-1 couples the holder 120 and a upper surface 140TS of thefourth area A4 of the liquid lens unit 140 to each other, and the thirdadhesive portion 164B-1 couples the holder 120 and the upper surface ofthe fifth area A5 of the liquid lens unit 140 to each other. Here, theupper surface 140TS of each of the fourth and fifth areas A4 and A5 ofthe liquid lens unit 140 is illustrated as being the upper surface ofthe first connection substrate 141, but the embodiment is not limitedthereto. For example, when the liquid lens unit 140 does not include theconnection substrates 141 and 144 or the spacer 143, the top of theliquid lens unit 140 may be the upper surface of the liquid lens unit142.

In addition, referring to FIG. 8a , the holder 120 may include theholder upper area disposed above the liquid lens unit 140 (or the liquidlens 142) and the holder lower area disposed below the liquid lens unit140 (or the liquid lens 142). In addition, the holder 120 may include asidewall that faces the side surface of the liquid lens 142 or theliquid lens unit 140. Each of the first and third adhesive portions162B-1 and 164B-1 couples the holder upper area 120U and the liquid lensunit 140 to each other. As such, each of the first and third adhesiveportions 162B-1 and 164B-1 may couple the holder 120 and the liquid lensunit 140 to each other so that the liquid lens unit 140 may be fixed tothe holder 120.

In addition, referring to FIG. 8b , the second adhesive portion 162B-2may couple the holder 120 and the lower surface 140BS and the sidesurface 140SS of the fourth area A4 of the liquid lens unit 140 to eachother. Here, the lower surface 140BS of the liquid lens unit 140 isillustrated as being the lower surface of the second connectionsubstrate 144, and the side surface 140SS of the liquid lens unit 140 isillustrated as being the side surface of the spacer 143, but theembodiment is not limited thereto. For example, when the liquid lensunit 140 does not include the connection substrates 141 and 144 or thespacer 143, the lower surface or the side surface of the liquid lensunit 140 may respectively be the lower surface or the side surface ofthe liquid lens 142. In the same manner, the fourth adhesive portion164B-2 may couple the holder 120 and the lower surface 140BS and theside surface 140SS of the fifth area A5 of the liquid lens unit 140 toeach other. Here, the lower surface 140BS of the liquid lens unit 140may be the lower surface of the second connection substrate 144, and theside surface 140SS of the liquid lens unit 140 may be the side surfaceof the spacer 143, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. Forexample, when the liquid lens unit 140 does not include the connectionsubstrates 141 and 144 or the spacer 143, the lower surface or the sidesurface of the liquid lens unit 140 may respectively be the lowersurface or the side surface of the liquid lens 142.

In addition, referring to FIG. 8a , each of the second and fourthadhesive portions 162B-2 and 164B-2 couples the holder lower area 120Dand the liquid lens unit 140 to each other. As such, when each of thesecond and fourth adhesive portions 162B-2 and 164B-2 couples the holder120 and the liquid lens unit 140 to each other, the first and secondopenings OP1 and OP2 may be sealed. The first adhesive portion 162B-1and the second adhesive portion 164B-1 may be connected to each other inorder to hermetically seal the first opening OP1, and the third adhesiveportion 164B-1 and the fourth adhesive portion 164B-2 may be connectedto each other in order to hermetically seal the second opening OP2.

Although not illustrated, even in the case of the camera module 100B, asillustrated in FIG. 4d , the third adhesive member 166 may be disposedso as to fill the space (or the gap) SP between the upper surface of theholder 120 and the first cover 170. In some cases, the third adhesivemember 166 may be omitted. In this case, the space SP between the uppersurface of the holder 120 and the first cover 170 may be empty.

The embodiment is not limited as to the shape of the third to fifthadhesive members 166, 162B and 164B described above. That is, the third,the fourth, and the fifth adhesive members 166, 162B and 164B may havevarious shapes so long as they seal the inside of the holder 120 inorder to inhibit foreign substances from being introduced into theholder 120 through at least one of the first or second opening OP1 orOP2 from the outside. As described above, when the third adhesive member166 is disposed so as to fill the space SP between the upper surface ofthe holder 120 and the first cover 170 in the state in which the fourthand fifth adhesive members 162B and 164B are disposed so as tohermetically seal the first and second openings OP1 and OP2respectively, the third area A3 (i.e. the first portion 140-1) of theliquid lens unit 140, which is disposed in the inner space of the holder120, may be sealed from the outside.

When foreign substances are introduced into the third area (i.e. thefirst portion 140-1) of the liquid lens unit 140, which is disposedinside the holder 120, through the first and second openings OP1 and OP2or the space SP, the optical performance of the camera module 100B maybe deteriorated, or a defective production may increase. However, sincethe inner space of the holder 120 in which the first portion 140-1 ofthe liquid lens unit 140 is disposed is sealed using the fourth adhesivemember 162B, the fifth adhesive member 164B, and the third adhesivemember 166, the camera module 100B according to the present embodimentmay inhibit foreign substances from being introduced into the firstportion 140-1 of the liquid lens unit 140 from an outside, whereby theoptical performance of the camera module 100B may be improved and adefective proportion may decrease.

In addition, referring to FIGS. 7, 8 b, and 9 a to 9 c, since each ofthe first opening OP1 and the second opening OP2 has a “

”-shaped form, each of the first adhesive portion 162B-1 and the thirdadhesive portion 164B-1 may have a “1”-shaped or “I”-shaped form andeach of the second adhesive portion 162B-2 and the fourth adhesiveportion 164B-2 may have a “U”-shaped form, but the embodiment is notlimited thereto. Each of the first adhesive portion 162B-1, the secondadhesive portion 162B-2, the third adhesive portion 164B-1, and thefourth adhesive portion 164B-2 may have a shape corresponding to theshape of each of the first and second openings OP1 and OP2.

In addition, referring to FIG. 8c , the cross-sectional area of thefirst adhesive portion 162B-1 may be smaller than the cross-sectionalarea of the second adhesive portion 162B-2. The maximum cross-sectionalarea of the first adhesive portion 162B-1 may be smaller than themaximum cross-sectional area of the second adhesive portion 162B-2. Thecross-sectional area of the first adhesive portion 162B-1 may be smallerthan the cross-sectional area of the second adhesive portion 162B-2 inthe direction overlapping a virtual plane including the optical axis LX.In FIG. 8c , in the plane including the x-axis and the z-axis, thecross-sectional area of the first adhesive portion 162B-1 may be smallerthan the cross-sectional area of the second adhesive portion 162B-2. Inaddition, the maximum value of the diameter Ø1 of the first adhesiveportion 162B-1 may be smaller than the maximum value of the diameter Ø2of the second adhesive portion 162B-2. In the same manner, the maximumvalue of the diameter Ø3 of the third adhesive portion 164B-1 may besmaller than the maximum value of the diameter Ø4 of the fourth adhesiveportion 164B-2, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. The first tofourth adhesive portions 162B-1, 162B-2, 164B-1 and 164B-2 are notlimited to a specific shape or size so long as the first and thirdadhesive portions 162B-1 and 164B-1 may fix the liquid lens unit 140 tothe holder 120 and the second and fourth adhesive portions 162B-2 and164B-2 may be disposed so as to hermetically seal the first and secondopenings OP1 and OP2 in cooperation with the first and third adhesiveportions 162B-1 and 164B-1.

In addition, when the first cover 170 is disposed so as to surround theholder 120, the liquid lens unit 140, the middle base 172, and thesensor base 178, the first cover 170 may be in contact with the shoulderside upper surface 120S of the holder 120. In this embodiment, when theupper surface 162BS of each of the first adhesive portion 162B-1 and thethird adhesive portion 164B-1 is located higher than the shoulder sideupper surface 120S of the holder 120, the first cover 170 may be incontact with the upper surface 162BS of each of the first adhesiveportion 162B-1 and the third adhesive portion 164B-1, instead of theshoulder side upper surface 120S of the holder 120. To firmly adhere thefirst cover 170 to the holder 120, as illustrated in FIGS. 8a to 8c ,the upper surface 120S of the holder 120 may be located higher than theupper surface 162BS of the first adhesive portion 162B-1 by a firstheight h1. In the same manner, the upper surface 120S of the holder 120may be located higher than the upper surface 164BS of the third adhesiveportion 164B-1 by a second height h2.

Alternatively, the height of the upper surface 120S of the holder 120and the height of the upper surface 162BS of the first adhesive portion162B-1 may be the same (i.e. h1=0), and the height of the upper surface120S of the holder 120 and the height of the upper surface 164BS of thethird adhesive portion 164B-1 may be the same (i.e. h2=0).

In the above description, the liquid lens unit 140, mentioned whendescribing the features of the first, second, fourth, and fifth adhesivemembers 162A, 164A, 162B and 164B, includes the first and secondconnection substrates 141 and 144. However, in other embodiments, theliquid lens unit 140, mentioned when describing the features of thefirst, second, fourth, and fifth adhesive members 162A, 164A, 162B and164B, may not include the first and second connection substrates 141 and144.

In order to avoid some of circuit elements 151 illustrated in FIG. 7from causing electromagnetic interference (EMI) or noise, for exampleinhibiting a power inductor 151-1 from causing greater EMI than otherelements, the circuit cover 154 may be disposed so as to cover thecircuit elements 151 disposed on the element area of the main board 150.

In addition, in the same manner as the second cover 174, when thecircuit cover 154 is disposed so as to cover the circuit elements 151,the circuit elements 151 disposed on the top of the main board 150 maybe protected from external shocks. To this end, the circuit cover 154may include an accommodating space for accommodating therein andcovering the circuit elements 151, in consideration of the shape andposition of the circuit elements 151 disposed on the main board 150.

Meanwhile, the filter 176 may filter light within a specific wavelengthrange, with respect to the light that has passed through the first lensunit 110 or 110A, the liquid lens unit 140, and the second lens unit 130or 130A. The filter 176 may be an infrared (IR) light blocking filter oran ultraviolet (UV) light blocking filter, but the embodiment is notlimited thereto. The filter 176 may be disposed above the image sensor182. The filter 176 may be disposed inside the sensor base 178. Forexample, the filter 176 may be disposed or mounted in an inner recess inthe sensor base 178 or on a stepped portion thereof.

The sensor base 178 may be disposed below the middle base 172, and maybe attached to the main board 150. The sensor base 178 may surround theimage sensor 182, and may protect the image sensor 182 from foreignsubstances or shocks.

The main board 150 may be disposed below the sensor base 178. The sensorbase 178 may be mounted on the main board 150 so as to be spaced apartfrom the circuit elements 151, and the middle base 172 and the holder120 in which the second lens unit 130 or 130A, the liquid lens unit 140,and the first lens unit 110 or 110A are disposed may be disposed abovethe sensor base 178.

In addition, in certain embodiments, the camera module 100B illustratedin FIG. 7 may not include the sensor base 178 and the filter 176, in thesame manner as the camera module 100A illustrated in FIG. 2.

Hereinafter, a method of manufacturing the camera module 100B accordingto the above-described embodiment is described.

According to the embodiment, the holder 120 is disposed and fixed.Subsequently, the liquid lens unit 140 is inserted through the first orsecond opening OP1 or OP2 in the holder 120. Subsequently, the holder120 is located above the image sensor 182. Thereafter, in the state inwhich an equipment gripper grips the spacer 143 of the liquid lens unit140 or grips the liquid lens unit 142 when the spacer 143 is omitted, avoltage is applied to the first and second connection substrates 141 and144. Thereafter, active alignment (fifth alignment) is performed toadjust relative positions between the first lens unit 110 or 110A andthe second lens unit 130 or 130A, which are fixed and mounted to theholder 120, and the liquid lens unit 140, while adjusting the positionof the liquid lens unit 140. After fifth alignment is performed asdescribed above, a first adhesive is applied to an area of the liquidlens unit 140 and the holder 120, to which the first and third adhesiveportions 162B-1 and 164B-1 are to be formed, and is then subjected to UVpre-curing and thermal curing (i.e. main curing), whereby the first andthird adhesive portions 162B-1 and 164B-1 are completed. The second andfourth adhesive portions 162B-2 and 164B-2 may be formed via adhesiveapplication and UV curing after the thermal curing of the first andthird adhesive portions 162B-1 and 164B-1, but may be omitted in thisstep. In certain embodiments, the formation of the second and fourthadhesive portions 162B-2 and 164B-2 may be performed after the alignmentof the holder and the lens assembly, which is described below.

Once the above-described fifth alignment has been performed, the holder120 and the middle base 172 are coupled to each other. The holder 120and the middle base 172 may be coupled to each other in advance beforethis step. Subsequently, dual epoxy is applied to the sensor base 178.Subsequently, the holder 120 is located on the image sensor 182 and themain board 150 in the state in which the gripper grips the middle base172. Subsequently, after a voltage is applied, active alignment (sixthalignment) is performed to adjust relative positions between the lensunits of the lens assembly and the image sensor 182 while changing theposition of the holder 120, and UV curing and thermal curing areperformed. After sixth alignment is performed as described above, asecond adhesive is applied to an area of the liquid lens unit 140 andthe holder 120, to which the second and fourth adhesive portions 162B-2and 164B-2 are to be disposed, and is then subjected to UV curing,whereby the second and fourth adhesive portions 162B-2 and 164B-2 arecompleted. Alternatively, after the first and third adhesive portions162B-1 and 164B-1 are completed, the second adhesive may be applied tocomplete the second and fourth adhesive portions 162B-2 and 164B-2before the above-described sixth alignment is performed. UV curing andthermal curing may be performed in case that the first and thirdadhesive portions 162B-1 and 164B-1 may be used for alignment and firmposition fixing, whereas only UV curing may be performed in case thatthe second and fourth adhesive portions 162B-2 and 164B-2 may be usedfor sealing.

According to another embodiment, the image sensor 182 may be mounted onthe main board 150, and the sensor base 178 coupled to the filter 176may be coupled to the main board 150. Thereafter, instead of the liquidlens unit 140, master glass may be inserted into the holder 120 coupledto the middle base 172 through the first or second opening OP1 or OP2,and thereafter, active alignment (seventh alignment) may be performed toadjust relative positions between the first and second lens unitsdisposed inside the holder 120 and the image sensor 182 disposed on themain board 150. Seventh alignment may be performed while moving a jig,which supports and fixes opposite sides of the middle base 172. In thecompleted state of seventh alignment, the middle base 172 or the holder120 may be coupled to the sensor base 178. When the sensor base 178 isomitted, the middle base 172 or the holder 120 may be coupled to themain board 150.

Subsequently, instead of the master glass, the liquid lens unit 140 maybe inserted into the holder 120 through the first or second opening OP1or OP2, and thereafter, active alignment (eighth alignment) may beperformed to adjust relative positions between the liquid lens unit 140and the image sensor 182. Eighth alignment may be performed by adjustingthe position of the liquid lens unit 140 while supporting the liquidlens unit 140 in the x-axis direction. For example, eighth alignment maybe performed by adjusting the position of the liquid lens unit 140 whilesupporting, in the x-axis direction, the spacer 143 of the liquid lensunit 140 or supporting the liquid lens 142 when the spacer 143 isomitted. In addition, eighth alignment may be performed while moving ajig, which supports the liquid lens unit 140 in the x-axis direction. Atthis time, the first and third adhesive portions 162B-1 and 164B-1 andthe second and fourth adhesive portions 162B-2 and 164B-2 may be formedafter seventh alignment is completed and before eighth alignment isperformed. Alternatively, the first and third adhesive portions 162B-1and 164B-1 may be formed after seventh alignment is completed and beforeeighth alignment is performed, and the second and fourth adhesiveportions 162B-2 and 164B-2 may be formed after eighth alignment isperformed.

Subsequently, each of the first connection substrate 141 and the secondconnection substrate 144 may be subjected to bending so as to beelectrically connected to the main board 150. After the bending process,a soldering process may be performed for electrical connection betweeneach of the first connection substrate 141 and the second connectionsubstrate 144 and the main board 150.

Subsequently, the first lens unit 110, the holder 120, the second lensunit 130, the liquid lens unit 140, the middle base 172, and the sensorbase 178 are covered with the first cover 170 so as to complete thecamera module 100B.

The first and second adhesives described above may include asilicon-based material, a sealing material, or an optically curableadhesive material, and the embodiment is not limited to a specificmaterial of the first and second adhesives.

The first adhesive portion 162B-1 and the second adhesive portion 162B-2may include the same material, or may include different materials. Inaddition, the third adhesive portion 164B-1 and the fourth adhesiveportion 164B-2 may include the same material, or may include differentmaterials.

The spacer 143 is gripped by the gripper when the first adhesive isapplied after the above-described fifth or eighth alignment isperformed. Thus, even if the contraction rate of the first adhesive islarge, the first and second lens units 110 and 130 disposed inside theholder 120 are not pulled toward the liquid lens unit 140. However, whenthe second adhesive is applied after sixth or seventh alignment isperformed, the first and second lens units disposed inside the holder120 may be pulled toward the liquid lens unit 140. To inhibit this, thecontraction rate of the second adhesive may be less than the contractionrate of the first adhesive. For example, upon the curing of the secondadhesive for the manufacture of the second or fourth adhesive portion162B-2 or 164B-2, the contraction rate of the second adhesive may be 1%or less, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. Thus, thecontraction rate of the second adhesive portion 162B-2 may be less thanthe contraction rate of the first adhesive portion 162B-1, and thecontraction rate of the fourth adhesive portion 164B-2 may be less thanthe contraction rate of the third adhesive portion 164B-1.

In addition, the first adhesive may be applied in the −z-axis direction,and the second adhesive may be applied in the −x-axis direction. At thistime, in order to inhibit the second adhesive from being introduced intothe holder 120 through the first and second openings OP1 and OP2 whenthe second adhesive is applied, the second adhesive may have suitableviscosity.

The liquid lens unit 140 may include the liquid lens 142. The liquidlens unit 140 may further include the connection substrates 141 and 144and/or the spacer 143. It is noted that in certain embodiments, theliquid lens unit 140 does not include at least one of the connectionsubstrates 141 and 144 or the spacer 143.

Hereinafter, various embodiments 140A to 140I of the liquid lens unit140 included in the camera module 100A according to the above-describedembodiment is described with reference to FIGS. 10a to 10i . When anoptical layer 190 is omitted from the liquid lens units 140A to 140Iillustrated in FIGS. 10a to 10i , the liquid lens units illustrated inFIGS. 10a to 10i may correspond to the liquid lens unit 140 included inthe camera module 100B according to the above-described embodiment.

FIGS. 10a to 10i are cross-sectional views illustrating the embodiments140A to 140I of the liquid lens unit 140 including the liquid lensaccording to the embodiment described above.

Each of the liquid lens units 140A to 140I illustrated in FIGS. 10a to10i may include the first connection substrate 141, the liquid lens 142,the spacer 143, and the second connection substrate 144. The spacer 143has been described above, and thus a repeated description thereof isomitted. For convenience of description, the illustration of the spacer143 is omitted in FIGS. 10a to 10 i.

The liquid lens 142 may include a plurality of different types ofliquids LQ1 and LQ2, first to third plates 147, 145 and 146, first andsecond electrodes E1 and E2, and an insulation layer 148. The liquidlens 142 may further include the optical layer 190 or 190A to 190I.

The liquids LQ1 and LQ2 may be accommodated in the cavity CA, and mayinclude a first liquid LQ1, which is conductive, and a second liquid (orinsulative liquid) LQ2, which is non-conductive. The first liquid LQ1and the second liquid LQ2 may be separated from each other, and aninterface BQ may be formed on a contact portion between the first andsecond liquids LQ1 and LQ2. For example, the second liquid LQ2 may bedisposed above the first liquid LQ1, but the embodiment is not limitedthereto.

In addition, in the cross-sectional shape of the liquid lens 142, theedge of the first and second liquids LQ2 and LQ1 may be thinner than thecenter portion.

The first liquid LQ1 may be formed by mixing, for example, ethyleneglycol and sodium bromide (NaBr) with each other. The second liquid LQ2may be oil, and for example, may be phenyl-based silicon oil.

Each of the first liquid LQ1 and the second liquid LQ2 may include atleast one of a sterilizer or an antioxidant. The antioxidant may be aphenyl based antioxidant or a phosphorus (P) based antioxidant. Inaddition, the sterilizer may be any one of alcohol-based,aldehyde-based, and phenol-based sterilizers. When each of the firstliquid LQ1 and the second liquid LQ2 includes the antioxidant and thesterilizer, it is possible to inhibit a change in the physicalproperties of the first and second liquids LQ1 and LQ2 due to oxidationof the first and second liquids LQ1 and LQ2 or the propagation ofmicroorganisms in the first and second liquids LQ1 and LQ2.

The inner side surface of the first plate 147 may form a sidewall i ofthe cavity CA. The first plate 147 may include upper and lower openingshaving a predetermined inclined surface. The cavity CA may be defined asan area that is surrounded by the inclined surface of the first plate147, a third opening in contact with the second plate 145, and a fourthopening in contact with the third plate 146.

The diameter of a wider opening among the third and fourth openings maybe changed depending on the field of view (FOV) required for the liquidlens 142 or the role of the liquid lens 142 in the camera module 100A.According to certain embodiments, the size (or the area or the width) ofthe third opening O₁ may be smaller than the size (or the area or thewidth) of the fourth opening O₂. Here, the size of each of the third andfourth openings may be the cross-sectional area in the horizontaldirection (e.g. the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction). Forexample, the size of each of the third and fourth openings may be theradius when the opening has a circular cross-section, and may be thediagonal length when the opening has a square cross-section.

Each of the third and fourth openings may take the form of a hole havinga circular cross section, and the inclined surface thereof may have aninclination angle ranging from 55 degrees to 65 degrees or aninclination angle ranging from 50 degrees to 70 degrees. The interfaceBO formed by the two liquids may be moved along the inclined surface ofthe cavity CA by a drive voltage.

The first liquid LQ1 and the second liquid LQ2 fills, or is accommodatedor disposed in the cavity CA of the first plate 147. In addition, thecavity CA is the area through which the light that has passed throughthe first lens unit 110 or 110A passes. Thus, the first plate 147 may beformed of a transparent material, and may include a dopant that mayinhibit easy light transmission.

The electrodes may be disposed respectively on one surface and the othersurface of the first plate 147. A plurality of first electrodes E1 maybe disposed on one surface (e.g. the upper surface, the side surface, orthe lower surface) of the first plate 147 so as to be spaced apart fromthe second electrode E2. The second electrode E2 may be disposed on atleast an area of the other surface (e.g. the lower surface) of the firstplate 147 and may be in direct contact with the first liquid LQ1.

In addition, the first electrodes E1 may be “n” electrodes (hereinafter,“individual electrodes”), and the second electrode E2 may be a singleelectrode (hereinafter, “common electrode”). Here, “n” may be an integerof 2 or more.

Each of the first and second electrodes E1 and E2 may include at leastone electrode sector. For example, the first electrode E1 may includetwo or more electrode sectors, and the second electrode E2 may includeat least one electrode sector. For example, the plurality of firstelectrodes E1 may include a plurality of electrode sectors sequentiallydisposed in the clockwise direction (or in the counterclockwisedirection) about the optical axis. Here, the electrode sector means aportion of the electrode.

A portion of the second electrode E2 (i.e. an electrode sector of thesecond electrode E2) disposed on the other surface of the first plate147 may be exposed to the first liquid LQ1, which is conductive.

Each of the first and second electrodes E1 and E2 may be formed of aconductive material, and for example, may be formed of a metal,specifically, chrome (Cr). Chromium or chrome is a silvery, lustrous,and hard transition metal that is fragile, is not readily discolored,and has a high melting point. In addition, a chromium alloy may be usedin the form of an alloy with other metals because it is highly resistantto corrosion and is hard. In particular, chromium (Cr) is highlyresistant to the first conductive liquid LQ1 filling the cavity CAbecause it is less corrosive and readily discolored.

In addition, the second plate 145 may be disposed on one surface of thefirst electrodes E1. That is, the second plate 145 may be disposed abovethe first plate 147. Specifically, the second plate 145 may be disposedabove the upper surface of the first electrodes E1 and the cavity CA.

The third plate 146 may be disposed on one surface of the secondelectrode E2. That is, the third plate 146 may be disposed below thefirst plate 147. Specifically, the third plate 146 may be disposed belowthe lower surface of the second electrode E2 and the cavity CA.

The second plate 145 and the third plate 146 may be disposed so as toface each other with the first plate 147 interposed therebetween. Inaddition, at least one of the second plate 145 or the third plate 146may be omitted.

At least one of the second or third plate 145 or 146 may have a squareplanar shape. The third plate 146 may be brought into contact with andbonded to the first plate 147 on a bonding area thereof around the edge.

Each of the second and third plates 145 and 146 may be an area throughwhich light passes, and may be formed of a light-transmitting material.For example, each of the second and third plates 145 and 146 may beformed of glass, and for the convenience of the process, may be formedof the same material. In addition, the edge of each of the second andthird plates 145 and 146 may have a square shape, without beingnecessarily limited thereto.

The second plate 145 may be configured so as to allow the lightintroduced into the first lens unit 110 or 110A to progress into thecavity CA in the first plate 147.

The third plate 146 may be configured so as to allow the light that haspassed through the cavity CA in the first plate 147 to be directed tothe second lens unit 130 or 130A. The third plate 146 may be in contactwith the first liquid LQ1.

According to the embodiment, the third plate 146 may have a diametergreater than the diameter of a wider opening among the third and fourthopenings in the first plate 147. In addition, the third plate 146 mayinclude a peripheral area spaced apart from the first plate 147.

In addition, the actual effective lens area of the liquid lens 142 maybe narrower than the diameter (e.g. O₂) of a wider opening among thethird and fourth openings in the first plate 147. For example, when aregion within a small radius about the center of the liquid lens 142 isused as an actual light transmission path, the diameter (e.g. O₃) of thecenter area of the third plate 146 may be smaller than the diameter(e.g. O₂) of a wider opening among the third and fourth openings in thefirst plate 147.

The insulation layer 148 may be disposed so as to cover a portion of thelower surface of the second plate 145 in the upper area of the cavityCA. The insulation layer 148 may be disposed between the second liquidLQ2 and the second plate 145.

In addition, the insulation layer 148 may be disposed so as to cover aportion of the first electrode E1, which forms the sidewall of thecavity CA. In addition, the insulation layer 148 may be disposed on thelower surface of the first plate 147 so as to cover a portion of thefirst electrode E1, the first plate 147, and the second electrode E2.Thus, contact between the first electrode E1 and the first liquid LQ1and contact between the first electrode E1 and the second liquid LQ2 maybe inhibited by the insulation layer 148.

The insulation layer 148 may be formed of, for example, a coating agentsuch as Parylene C, and may further include a white dye. The white dyemay increase the frequency of reflection of light from the insulationlayer 148, which forms the sidewall i of the cavity CA.

The insulation layer 148 may cover one electrode among the first andsecond electrodes E1 and E2 (e.g. the first electrode E1), and mayexpose a portion of the other electrode (e.g. the second electrode E2)so that electricity is applied to the first liquid LQ1 havingconductivity.

Meanwhile, according to the embodiment, the optical layer 190 may bedisposed on one surface of at least one of the second plate 145 or thethird plate 146. For example, the optical layer 190 may be disposed onat least one of the upper side or the lower side of the second plate145, may be disposed on at least one of the upper side or the lower sideof the third plate 146, or may be disposed on at least one of the upperside or the lower side of each of the second and third plates 145 and146.

In the case of FIGS. 2 and 7, the liquid lens 142 and the optical layer190 are illustrated separately, but the optical layer 190 may be acomponent of the liquid lens 142. In addition, in the case of FIGS. 2and 7, the optical layer 190 is illustrated as a single layer, this ismerely given to display the presence of the optical layer 190. Theoptical layer 190 may be formed in a single layer as illustrated inFIGS. 10a, 10b, 10h and 10i , or may be formed in multiple layers asillustrated in FIGS. 10c to 10 g.

The optical layer 190 may include at least one of an ultraviolet lightblocking layer, an anti-reflection layer, or an infrared light blockinglayer. The optical layer 190 may be disposed so as to overlap the imagesensor 182 in the direction of the optical axis LX (i.e. the z-axis) orin the direction parallel to the optical-axis direction. In addition,the optical layer 190 may be disposed on the third area A3 (i.e. thefirst portion 140-1) of the liquid lens unit 140.

The ultraviolet light blocking layer may block ultraviolet light, moreparticularly, UV-A light. The ultraviolet light blocking layer may bedisposed in the area in which light is introduced into the liquid lens142, and may block ultraviolet light, more particularly, UV-A light,which may be transmitted to the first lens unit 110 or 110A. UV-C lighthas a relatively short wavelength, and thus low penetration force, andtherefore most UV-C light is blocked by the ozone layer. UV-B light isblocked by general glass, but UV-A light passes through general glass,and therefore blocking thereof may particularly require a separateblocking layer.

The ultraviolet light blocking layer may include at least one of TiO₂,SiO₂, avobenzone, butylmethoxy dibenzoylmethane, oxybenzone,benzophenone-3, cinnamate, or Mexoryl.

In addition, the ultraviolet light blocking layer may be disposed in asingle layer or in multiple layers, and this may be equally applied tothe following embodiments, which are described below.

The anti-reflection layer may serve to inhibit the reflection of lightfrom the second or third plate 145 or 146, and may reduce deteriorationin light transmittance due to Fresnel loss in the liquid lens 142 andmay also inhibit deterioration in the visibility of the liquid lens 142at night.

In particular, although not illustrated, the anti-reflection layer maybe disposed on the inclined surface and the lower surface of theinsulation layer 148, and may serve to inhibit deterioration in thequality of light transmitted to the image sensor 182 due to thereflection of light.

The infrared light blocking layer may block infrared light.

At least one of the ultraviolet light blocking layer, theanti-reflection layer, or the infrared light blocking layer may bedisposed on at least one of a light introduction portion or a lightdischarge portion of the camera module 100A according to the embodiment.

The ultraviolet light blocking layer may inhibit ultraviolet light frombeing introduced into the liquid lens 142 from the outside, may inhibita composition of an adhesive layer or the like in the liquid lens 142 orthe first and second liquids LQ1 and LQ2 from being spoiled byultraviolet light, more particularly, UV-A light, and may inhibitdeterioration in the light transmittance of the liquid lens 142.

The infrared light blocking layer may inhibit the generation of thermalspots in an image by inhibiting infrared light from being introducedinto the liquid lens 142 from the outside, and may inhibit deteriorationin visibility at night by reducing the reflection of light from thesurface of the liquid lens 142.

According to the embodiment, the optical layer 190 may take the form ofcoating or a film. For example, the anti-reflection layer of the opticallayer 190 may be coated by, for example, spraying at a low temperature.

In the case of the camera module 100B according to the above-describedembodiment, the filter 176 for the blocking of ultraviolet light orinfrared light is disposed between the middle base 172 and the imagesensor 182, and filters light within a specific wavelength range, withrespect to the light that has passed through the first lens unit 110,the liquid lens 142, and the second lens unit 130. In addition, such aninfrared light blocking filter or an ultraviolet light blocking filteris mounted in a recess in the sensor base 178.

On the other hand, in the case of the camera module 100A according tothe above-described embodiment, since the optical layer 190 is disposedon one surface of the second or third plate 145 or 146 in a coated formor a film form, the camera module 100A does not include the infraredlight or ultraviolet light blocking filter 176 and the sensor base 178.Thus, the thickness of the camera module 100A according to the firstdescribed embodiment may be reduced compared to the camera module 100Bincluding the infrared light or ultraviolet light blocking filter 176and the sensor base 178. That is, the flange back length (FBL), whichcorresponds to the distance between the second lens unit 130 or 130A andthe image sensor 182 along the optical axis LX, may be reduced, comparedto the existing device. Thus, it is noted that the camera module 100Baccording to the second described embodiment may include the opticallayer 190, instead of the filter 176 and the sensor base 178.

Hereinafter, various embodiments 190A to 190I of the optical layer 190are described with reference to FIGS. 10a to 10 i.

The liquid lenses 140A to 140I illustrated in FIGS. 10a to 10i have thesame configuration, excluding the arranged form of the optical layer190.

According to one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 10a , the opticallayer 190A may be disposed on the second plate 145. That is, the lowersurface of the optical layer 190A may be in contact with the uppersurface of the second plate 145. For example, the optical layer 190A maybe an ultraviolet light blocking layer, an anti-reflection layer, or aninfrared light blocking layer.

According to another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 10b , theoptical layer 190B may be disposed between the second plate 145 and theinsulation layer 148. That is, the upper surface of the optical layer190B may be in contact with the lower surface of the second plate 145,the side surface thereof may be in contact with the first connectionsubstrate 141, and the lower surface thereof may be in contact with theinsulation layer 148 and the first electrode E1. For example, theoptical layer 190B may be an ultraviolet light blocking layer, ananti-reflection layer, or an infrared light blocking layer.

According to still another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 10c , theoptical layer 190C may include a first optical layer 190C1 disposed onthe upper surface of the second plate 145 and a second optical layer190C2 disposed on the lower surface of the second plate 145. Unlike theoptical layer 190A disposed on the entire upper surface of the secondplate 145 illustrated in FIG. 10a , the first optical layer 190C1 isdisposed on a partial area corresponding to the second liquid LQ2 and isnot disposed on the edge area of the upper surface of the second plate145, rather than being disposed on the entire upper surface of thesecond plate 145. The second optical layer 190C2 is disposed in the sameform as the optical layer 190B illustrated in FIG. 10b , and thus adescription thereof is omitted. For example, each of the first andsecond optical layers 190C1 and 190C2 may be an ultraviolet lightblocking layer, an anti-reflection layer, or an infrared light blockinglayer. For example, the first and second optical layers 190C1 and 190C2may include two of an ultraviolet light blocking layer, ananti-reflection layer, and an infrared light blocking layer.

According to still another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 10d , theoptical layer 190D may include a first optical layer 190D1 disposed onthe upper surface of the second plate 145 and a second optical layer190D2 disposed on the lower surface of the second plate 145. Unlike theoptical layer 190A illustrated in FIG. 10a , the thickness t1 of thefirst optical layer 190D1 in the center area of the upper surface of thesecond plate 145 may be greater than the thickness t2 of the firstoptical layer in the edge area. For example, the first optical layer190D1 may have a multilayered structure, and a greater number of firstoptical layers 190D1 may be provided in the peripheral area and thecenter area corresponding to the second liquid LQ2, compared to that inthe edge area. For example, each of the first and second optical layers190D1 and 190D2 may be an ultraviolet light blocking layer, ananti-reflection layer, or an infrared light blocking layer. For example,the first and second optical layers 190D1 and 190D2 may include two ofan ultraviolet light blocking layer, an anti-reflection layer, and aninfrared light blocking layer.

According to still another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 10e , theoptical layer 190E may include a first optical layer 190E1 and a secondoptical layer 190E2. The first optical layer 190E1 may be disposed onthe upper surface of the second plate 145, and the second optical layer190E2 may be disposed between the upper surface of the second plate 145and the first optical layer 190E1. For example, each of the first andsecond optical layers 190E1 and 190E2 may be an ultraviolet lightblocking layer, an anti-reflection layer, or an infrared light blockinglayer. For example, the first and second optical layers 190E1 and 190E2may include two of an ultraviolet light blocking layer, ananti-reflection layer, and an infrared light blocking layer.

According to still another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 10f , theoptical layer 190F may include a first optical layer 190F1 and a secondoptical layer 190F2. The first optical layer 190F1 may be disposed onthe upper surface of the second plate 145, and the second optical layer190F2 may be disposed on the lower surface of the second plate 145In thesame manner as the optical layer 190B illustrated in FIG. 10b , theupper surface of the second optical layer 190F2 may be in contact withthe lower surface of the second plate 145, the side surface thereof maybe in contact with the first connection substrate 141, and the lowersurface thereof may be in contact with the insulation layer 148 and thefirst electrode E1. Each of the first and second optical layers 190F1and 190F2 may be an ultraviolet light blocking layer, an anti-reflectionlayer, or an infrared light blocking layer. For example, the first andsecond optical layers 190F1 and 190F2 may include two of an ultravioletlight blocking layer, an anti-reflection layer, and an infrared lightblocking layer.

According to still another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 10g , theoptical layer 190G may include a first optical layer 190G1, a secondoptical layer 190G2, and a third optical layer 190G3. The first opticallayer 190G1 may be disposed on the upper surface of the second plate145, the second optical layer 190G2 may be disposed between the uppersurface of the second plate 145 and the first optical layer 190G1, andthe third optical layer 190G3 may be disposed between the upper surfaceof the second plate 145 and the second optical layer 190G2. For example,each of the first, second and third optical layers 190G1, 190G2 and190G3 may be an ultraviolet light blocking layer, an anti-reflectionlayer, or an infrared light blocking layer. For example, the first,second and third optical layers 190G1, 190G2 and 190G3 may include anultraviolet light blocking layer, an anti-reflection layer, and aninfrared light blocking layer.

According to still another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 10h , theoptical layer 190H may be disposed below the third plate 146. The uppersurface of the optical layer 190H may be in contact with the lowersurface of the third plate 146. For example, the optical layer 190H maybe an ultraviolet light blocking layer, an anti-reflection layer, or aninfrared light blocking layer.

According to still another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 10i , theoptical layer 190I may be disposed between the inner upper surface ofthe third plate 146 and the first liquid LQ1. The upper surface of theoptical layer 190I may be in contact with the first liquid LQ1, the sidesurface of the optical layer 190I may be in contact with the inner sidesurface of the third plate 146, and the lower surface of the opticallayer 190I may be in contact with the inner upper surface of the thirdplate 146.

For example, when the above-described optical layer 190 includes ananti-reflection layer and at least one of an infrared light blockinglayer or an ultraviolet light blocking layer, the anti-reflection layermay be disposed on at least one of the infrared light blocking layer orthe ultraviolet light blocking layer.

Meanwhile, each of the components 110 to 190 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5and the components 110 to 176 illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 9 c may bebrought into contact with, or coupled, fixed, or bonded to each othervia epoxy. To this end, when attempting to bring into contact with,couple, fix, or bond two components of the components 110 to 190 or thecomponents 110 to 176, epoxy application, UV pre-curing, and thermalcuring may be sequentially performed. In some embodiments, any onecuring process may be omitted or another bonding process may be added,according to the material or properties of elements.

The camera module 100A according to the embodiment includes the opticallayer 190 having a coated form or a film form, and therefore, does notinclude the infrared light or ultraviolet light blocking filter 176 andthe sensor base 178. Thus, epoxy may be disposed between the second lensunit 130 or 130A and the image sensor 182, and may be in direct contactwith each of the second lens unit 130 and the image sensor 182 in theoptical axis LX.

At least one substrate, for example, the first connection substrate 141and the second connection substrate 144 serves to supply a voltage tothe liquid lens 142. To this end, the plurality of first electrodes E1may be electrically connected to the first connection substrate 141, andthe second electrode E2 may be electrically connected to the secondconnection substrate 144.

When a drive voltage is applied to the first and second electrodes E1and E2 via the first connection substrate 141 and the second connectionsubstrate 144, the interface BQ between the first liquid LQ1 and thesecond liquid LQ2 may be deformed so that at least one of the curvatureor the focal length of the liquid lens 142 may be changed (or adjusted).For example, the focal length of the liquid lens 142 may be adjusted asat least one of the curvature or the inclination of the interface BQformed in the liquid lens 142 is changed to correspond to the drivevoltage. When the deformation or the radius of curvature of theinterface BQ is controlled, the liquid lens 142, the lens assembly 110,120, 130, 140, 162A, 164A, 162B and 164B, the camera module 100A or100B, and the optical device, which include the liquid lens 142, mayperform an auto-focusing (AF) function, a handshaking absorbingfunction, an optical image stabilization (OIS) function, or the like.

The first connection substrate 141 may transmit four different drivevoltages (hereinafter, “individual voltages”) to the liquid lens 142,and the second connection substrate 144 may transmit one drive voltage(hereinafter, “common voltage”) to the liquid lens 142. The commonvoltage may include a DC voltage or an AC voltage. When the commonvoltage is applied in a pulse form, the pulse width or the duty cyclemay be constant. The individual voltages supplied via the firstconnection substrate 141 may be applied to the plurality of electrodesE1 (or the plurality of electrode sectors) exposed at the respectivecorners of the liquid lens 142.

Although not illustrated, when conductive epoxy is disposed between thefirst connection substrate 141 and the plurality of first electrodes E1,the first connection substrate 141 and the plurality of first electrodesE1 may be in contact with each other, may be coupled to each other, andmay be in electrical conduction with each other. In addition, whenconductive epoxy is disposed between the second connection substrate 144and the second electrode E2, the second connection substrate 144 and thesecond electrode E2 may be in contact with each other, may be coupled toeach other, and may be in electrical conduction with each other.

In addition, the first connection substrate 141 and the plurality offirst electrodes E1 may be implemented as separate elements, or may beintegrally formed. In addition, the second connection substrate 144 andthe second electrode E2 may be implemented as separate elements, or maybe integrally formed.

FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of the camera module 200.

Referring to FIG. 11, the camera module 200 may include a controlcircuit 210 and a lens assembly 250. The control circuit 210 maycorrespond to the control circuit 24A or 24B illustrated in FIG. 1 or 6,and the lens assembly 250 may correspond to the lens assembly 22A or 22Billustrated in FIG. 1 or 6, the lens assembly 110, 120, 130, 140, 162Aand 164A illustrated in FIG. 2, or the lens assembly 110, 120, 130, 140,162B and 164B illustrated in FIG. 7.

The control circuit 210 may include a control unit 220, and may controlthe operation of the liquid lens unit 140 including the liquid lens 142.

The control unit 220 may have a configuration for performing an AFfunction and an OIS function, and may control a liquid lens 280 includedin the lens assembly 250 using a user request or a sensed result (e.g. amovement signal of the gyro sensor 22A or 22B). Here, the liquid lens280 may correspond to the above-described liquid lens 142.

In a certain embodiment, the control unit 220 may include a gyro sensor225, a controller 230, and a voltage driver 235. In another embodiment,the gyro sensor 225 is an independent component that is not included inthe control unit 220.

The gyro sensor 225 may sense the angular speed of a movement in twodirections, including a yaw axis and a pitch axis, in order tocompensate for handshaking in the horizontal and vertical directions ofan optical device. The gyro sensor 225 may generate a movement signalcorresponding to the sensed angular speed and provide the signal to thecontroller 230.

The controller 230 may remove a high frequency noise component from themovement signal using a low-pass filter (LPF) so as to extract only adesired frequency band for the implementation of an OIS function, maycalculate the amount of handshaking using the movement signal from whichthe noise component has been removed, and may calculate a drive voltagecorresponding to the shape that a liquid lens 280 of the liquid lensmodule 260 needs to have in order to compensate for the calculatedamount of handshaking.

The controller 230 may receive information for an AF function (i.e.information on the distance to an object) from an internal component(e.g. an image sensor 182) or an external component (e.g. a distancesensor or an application processor) of the camera module 200 or theoptical device, and may calculate the drive voltage corresponding to thedesired shape of the liquid lens 280 based on a focal length, which isrequired to focus on the object, using the distance information.

The controller 230 may store a drive voltage table in which a drivevoltage and a drive voltage code for making the voltage driver 235generate the drive voltage are mapped, may acquire the drive voltagecode corresponding to the calculated drive voltage by referring to thedrive voltage table, and may output the acquired drive voltage code tothe voltage driver 235.

The voltage driver 235 may generate a drive voltage in an analog form,which corresponds to the drive voltage code, based on a drive voltagecode in a digital form provided from the controller 230, and may providethe drive voltage to the lens assembly 250.

The voltage driver 235 may include a voltage booster, which increases avoltage level upon receiving a supply voltage (e.g. a voltage suppliedfrom a separate power supply circuit), a voltage stabilizer forstabilizing the output of the voltage booster, and a switching unit forselectively supplying the output of the voltage booster to each terminalof the liquid lens 280.

Here, the switching unit may include a circuit component called an Hbridge. A high voltage output from the voltage booster is applied as apower supply voltage of the switching unit. The switching unit mayselectively supply the applied power supply voltage and a ground voltageto opposite ends of the liquid lens 280. Here, the liquid lens 280 mayinclude the four first electrodes E1 each including four electrodesectors, the first connection substrate 141, the second electrode E2,and the second connection substrate 144 for driving, as aforementioned.Opposite ends of the liquid lens 280 may mean the second electrode E2and any one of the first electrodes E1. In addition, opposite ends ofthe liquid lens 280 may mean any one of the four electrode sectors ofthe four first electrodes E1 and one electrode sector of the secondelectrode E2.

A pulse-type voltage having a predetermined width may be applied to eachelectrode sector of the liquid lens 280, and the drive voltage appliedto the liquid lens 280 is the difference between the voltages appliedrespectively to the first electrode E1 and the second electrode E2.

In addition, in order to allow the voltage driver 235 to control a drivevoltage applied to the liquid lens 280 depending on a drive voltage codein a digital form provided from the controller 230, the voltage boostermay control an increase in a voltage level, and the switching unit maycontrol the phase of a pulse voltage applied to the common electrode andthe individual electrode so as to generate a drive voltage in an analogform, which corresponds to the drive voltage code.

That is, the control unit 220 may control the voltage applied to each ofthe first electrodes E1 and the second electrode E2.

The control circuit 210 may further include a connector (notillustrated), which performs a communication or interface function ofthe control circuit 210. For example, the connector may performcommunication protocol conversion for communication between the controlcircuit 210, which uses an inter-integrated circuit (I2C) communicationmethod, and the lens assembly 250, which uses a mobile industryprocessor interface (MIPI) communication method. In addition, theconnector may receive power from an external source (e.g. a battery),and may supply power required for the operation of the control unit 220and the lens assembly 250. In this case, the connector may be the sameas the connector 153 illustrated in FIG. 2 or 7.

The lens assembly 250 may include the liquid lens module 260, and theliquid lens module 260 may include a drive voltage provider 270 and theliquid lens 280.

The drive voltage provider 270 may receive a drive voltage from thevoltage driver 235, and may provide the drive voltage to the liquid lens280. Here, the drive voltage may be an analog voltage applied betweenone common electrode and any one individual electrode among “n”individual electrodes.

The drive voltage provider 270 may include a voltage adjustment circuit(not illustrated) or a noise removal circuit (not illustrated) forcompensating for loss due to terminal connection between the controlcircuit 210 and the lens assembly 250, or may bypass the output voltageprovided from the voltage driver 235 to the liquid lens 280.

The drive voltage provider 270 may be disposed on an FPCB (or asubstrate), which constitutes at least a portion of the connectionportion 152, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. The connectionportion 152 may include the drive voltage provider 270.

The liquid lens 280 may be deformed in the interface BO thereof betweenthe first liquid LQ1 and the second liquid LQ2 depending on a drivevoltage, thereby performing at least one of an AF function or an OISfunction.

FIGS. 12a and 12b are views for explaining the liquid lens 142, theinterface of which is adjusted to correspond to a drive voltage.Specifically, FIG. 12a illustrates a perspective view of the liquid lens142 according to the embodiment, and FIG. 12b illustrates an equivalentcircuit of the liquid lens 142. Here, the liquid lens 142 is the same asthe liquid lens 142 of FIG. 2 or 7, and thus is designated by the samereference numeral.

First, referring to FIG. 12a , the liquid lens 142, the shape of theinterface BO of which is adjusted to correspond to a drive voltage, mayreceive the drive voltage via a plurality of electrode sectors E11, E12,E13 and E14 of the plurality of first electrodes E1, which are disposedin four different directions to have the same angular distancetherebetween, and an electrode sector C0 of the second electrode E2.When the drive voltage is applied via any one of the plurality ofelectrode sectors E11, E12, E13 and E14 of the plurality of firstelectrodes E1 and the electrode sector C0 of the second electrode E2,the shape of the interface BO between the first liquid LQ1 and thesecond liquid LQ2, which are disposed in the cavity CA, may be deformed.The degree of deformation and the shape of the interface BO between thefirst liquid LQ1 and the second liquid LQ2 may be controlled by thecontroller 230 in order to implement at least one of an AF function oran OIS function.

In addition, referring to FIG. 12b , the liquid lens 142 may bedescribed as a plurality of capacitors 143, in which one side of thelens 142 receives a voltage from the different electrode sectors E11,E12, E13 and E14 of the first electrodes E1, and the other side of thelens 142 is connected to the electrode sector C0 of the second electrodeE2 so as to receive a voltage therefrom.

In FIG. 12a , the number of different electrode sectors E11, E12, E13and E14 included in the plurality of first electrodes E1 has beendescribed as being four in this specification by way of example, but theembodiment is not limited thereto.

In the lens assembly according to the above-described embodiment, sincethe first and second adhesive members 162A and 164A are respectivelydisposed in the empty space between the holder 120 and the liquid lensunit 140 in the first and second openings OP1 and OP2, or the first andthird adhesive portions 162B-1 and 164B-1 couple the holder 120 and thefourth and fifth areas A4 and A5 of the liquid lens unit 140, the liquidlens unit 140 may be firmly fixed to the holder 120.

In addition, in the camera module 100A or 100B including the lensassembly according to the above-described embodiments, once the firstand second adhesive members 162A and 164A (or the fourth and fifthadhesive members 162B and 164B) have been disposed, the third adhesivemember 166 is disposed in the space SP between the first cover 170 andthe upper surface of the holder 120 so as to seal the inner space of theholder 120. Therefore, the liquid lens unit 140 disposed in the sealedinner space of the holder 120 may be protected from foreign substancessuch as dust or moisture from the outside. That is, although the opticalperformance of the camera module may be deteriorated or a defectiveproportion may increase when the foreign substances are introduced intothe liquid lens unit 140, which is disposed in the inner space of theholder 120, the camera modules 100A and 100B according to theembodiments may inhibit this from occurring.

In addition, since the optical layer 190 or 190A to 190I is disposed ina film form or in a coated form as in the camera module 100A accordingto the above-described embodiment, it is not necessary to dispose aseparate infrared light or ultraviolet light blocking filter and asensor base between the second lens unit 130 or 130A and the imagesensor 182. Thus, the possibility of the occurrence of a ghost or flarephenomenon due to inner total reflection, which occurs well in the planeclose to the infrared light or ultraviolet light blocking filter and thesensor base, may be reduced, and the thickness of the camera module 100Amay be reduced. For example, when the sum of the thicknesses of theinfrared light or ultraviolet light blocking filter and the sensor basein the direction of the optical axis LX (e.g. the z-axis direction) is0.46 mm, the thickness of the entire camera module 100A according to theembodiment may be reduced by 0.46 mm, which is the sum of thethicknesses of the filter and the sensor base.

In addition, since the optical layer 190 or 190A to 190I is formed in acoated form or in a film form instead of the filter and the sensor base,the camera module may achieve reduced manufacturing costs and economicalcompetitiveness, compared to the camera module 100B, which includes theinfrared light or ultraviolet light blocking filter or the sensor base.That is, the method of manufacturing the camera module 100B requires aprocess of bonding the filter 176 to the sensor base 178 and a processof bonding the sensor base 178 to the main board 150, whereas the methodof manufacturing the camera module 100A does not require these bondingprocesses. Thus, the manufacturing costs may be reduced and themanufacturing time may be reduced.

Although some embodiments have been described above, various otherembodiments are possible. These embodiments may be combined in variousforms so long as the technical ideas of the embodiments are notincompatible, and thus new embodiments may be realized therefrom.

Meanwhile, an optical device may be implemented using the camera module100A or 100B, which includes the lens assembly described above accordingto the embodiments. Here, the optical device may include a device thatmay process or analyze optical signals. Examples of the optical devicemay include camera/video devices, telescopic devices, microscopicdevices, an interferometer, a photometer, a polarimeter, a spectrometer,a reflectometer, an auto-collimator, and a lens-meter, and theembodiments may be applied to optical devices that may include the lensassembly.

In addition, the optical device may be implemented in a portable devicesuch as a smart phone, a laptop computer, or a tablet computer. Such anoptical device may include the camera module 100A or 100B, a displayunit (not illustrated) for outputting the image, a battery (notillustrated) configured to supply power to the camera module 100A or100B, and a main body housing in which the camera module 100A or 100B,the display unit, and the battery are mounted. The optical device mayfurther include a communication module, which may communicate with otherdevices, and a memory unit, which may store data therein. Thecommunication module and the memory unit may also be mounted in the mainbody housing.

It should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that thedisclosure may be embodied into other particular forms within a rangenot deviating from the scope and essential features of the disclosure.Thus, the above detailed description should not be construed as beinglimitative in all terms, but should be considered as being illustrative.The scope of the disclosure should be determined by the rationalanalysis of the accompanying claims, and all changes within theequivalent range of the disclosure are included in the scope of thedisclosure.

MODE FOR INVENTION

As described above, a related description has sufficiently beendiscussed in the above “Best Mode” for implementation of theembodiments.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

A lens assembly and a camera module including the lens assemblyaccording to the embodiments may be may be used in camera/video devices,telescopic devices, microscopic devices, an interferometer, aphotometer, a polarimeter, a spectrometer, a reflectometer, anauto-collimator, a lens-meter, a smart phone, a laptop computer, or atablet computer.

What is claimed is:
 1. A lens assembly, comprising: a holder comprisinga first sidewall including a first opening and a second sidewallincluding a second opening; a liquid lens unit comprising at least aportion disposed in the first opening and the second opening; and afirst adhesive disposed between the holder and the liquid lens unit andinside the first opening; and a second adhesive disposed between theholder and the liquid lens unit and inside the second opening, whereinthe second opening faces the first opening in a first directionperpendicular to an optical axis of the liquid lens unit, wherein theliquid lens unit comprises: a first area in which the first adhesive isdisposed; and a second area in which the second adhesive is disposed,wherein the first adhesive is disposed on the first sidewall, and upperand lower surfaces of the first area of the liquid lens unit, andwherein the second adhesive is disposed on the second sidewall, andupper and lower surfaces of the second area of the liquid lens unit. 2.The lens assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first adhesivecouples the holder and the liquid lens unit in the first opening tohermetically seal the first opening, and wherein the second adhesivecouples the holder and the liquid lens unit in the second opening tohermetically seal the second opening.
 3. The lens assembly according toclaim 2, wherein the holder comprises: a holder upper area disposedabove the liquid lens unit; and a holder lower area disposed below theliquid lens unit.
 4. The lens assembly according to claim 3, wherein thefirst adhesive couples the holder upper area to the liquid lens unit,and wherein the second adhesive couples the holder lower area to theliquid lens unit.
 5. The lens assembly according to claim 1, wherein theliquid lens unit comprises: a first plate including a cavity, wherein aconductive liquid and a non-conductive liquid are disposed in thecavity; a first electrode disposed on one surface of the first plate; asecond electrode disposed on the other surface of the first plate; afirst connection substrate configured to be electrically connected tothe first electrode; and a second connection substrate configured to beelectrically connected to the second electrode.
 6. The lens assemblyaccording to claim 5, comprising a spacer disposed between the firstconnection substrate and the second connection substrate and surroundingthe first plate.
 7. The lens assembly according to claim 6, wherein thespacer protrudes outward from the holder through at least one of thefirst opening or the second opening.
 8. The lens assembly according toclaim 6, wherein at least a portion of the spacer is disposed in thefirst opening and the second opening.
 9. The lens assembly according toclaim 5, wherein the liquid lens unit comprises: a second plate disposedon one surface of the first electrode; a third plate disposed on onesurface of the second electrode; and an optical layer disposed on onesurface of at least one of the second plate or the third plate.
 10. Thelens assembly according to claim 9, wherein the optical layer isdisposed on at least one of an upper side or a lower side of the secondplate.
 11. The lens assembly according to claim 9, wherein the opticallayer is disposed on at least one of an upper side or a lower side ofthe third plate.
 12. The lens assembly according to claim 9, wherein theoptical layer is disposed on at least one of an upper side or a lowerside of each of the second and third plates.
 13. The lens assemblyaccording to claim 9, wherein the liquid lens unit comprises a thirdarea positioned between the first area and the second area, and whereinthe optical layer is disposed on the third area and includes at leastone of an ultraviolet light blocking layer, an anti-reflection layer, oran infrared light blocking.
 14. The lens assembly according to claim 1,wherein the liquid lens unit is inserted into the holder through atleast one of the first opening or the second opening.
 15. The lensassembly according to claim 1, wherein the liquid lens unit comprises aportion protruding outside of the holder through at least one of thefirst opening or the second opening.
 16. The lens assembly according toclaim 1, wherein a size of the first or second opening of the holder isgreater than a thickness of a center of the liquid lens unit withrespect to the optical axis of the liquid lens unit.
 17. The lensassembly according to claim 1, comprising: a first lens unit disposedabove the liquid lens unit and within the holder; and a second lens unitdisposed below the liquid lens unit and within the holder, wherein theholder comprises: a first hole, the first lens unit being accommodatedin, mounted in, seated in, in contact with, fixed to, provisionallyfixed to, supported by, coupled to, or disposed in the first hole; and asecond hole, the second lens unit being accommodated in, mounted in,seated in, in contact with, fixed to, provisionally fixed to, supportedby, coupled to, or disposed in the second hole.
 18. The lens assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second adhesivescomprises a silicon-based material.
 19. A camera module, comprising: aholder comprising a first sidewall having a first opening and a secondsidewall having a second opening; a first lens unit disposed within theholder; a second lens unit disposed within the holder; a liquid lensunit disposed between the first lens unit and the second lens unit andcomprising at least a portion disposed in the first opening and thesecond opening; a first adhesive disposed between the holder and theliquid lens unit and inside the first opening; a second adhesivedisposed between the holder and the liquid lens unit and inside thesecond opening; and a main board disposed below the holder, wherein aplurality of circuit elements and an image sensor are disposed in themain board.
 20. The camera module according to claim 19, comprising: acover disposed to cover an upper surface of the holder, the firstsidewall, and the second sidewall of the holder; and a third adhesivedisposed between the upper surface of the holder and the cover.